Exhibit 42 – Rocks Stones and Grief

Rocks Stones and Grief
There is no doubt loss is a universal experience, a part of our human journey. I don’t know what your losses are. They may be the sadness of living with a child with chronic mental health difficulties, the hidden trauma of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, or the guilt-ridden loss of abortion; an unfaithful husband, loss of a job or career dreams or loss of hope for the future in the context of Covid and the looming fear of climate change.
My losses are about death. My childhood was shaped by the sudden death of my brother in a bike accident. In November 2018 our middle son Ben drowned in a military training accident. We are still waiting for an inquest.
I have found if difficult to know how to talk about the trauma of these experiences, how to accept that they are part of my story. I have found myself separated and disconnected from others by my grief and perhaps separated and disconnected from myself.
A source of hope and strength has been the stories of the Celtic saints whose spirituality was interwoven with the beauty of creation. I have always loved nature. my mother was Finnish, and Finland is full of granite rocks and water! Some of my most peaceful memories, when I have felt most ‘connected’ are sitting on warm granite rocks that meet the sea.
I share here some reflections on how rocks and stones have been a part of processing my grief over the past few years.
I hope they may speak to your heart.