A couple of days ago I finally got a chance to go to our local Indigo (the Canadian equivalent of Barnes and Noble) and it was definitely special to see my book on the shelf. But what was even more special was what happened when I got talking to one of the staff close by.
She asked about my book and when I said the title her eyes welled up and I knew. We recognize each other don’t we, grievers? We can tell when we have met someone who has had to learn to give grief room. “My husband died 7 years ago,” she said. “Colon cancer.” His name was Kevin.
We talked about loss and grief and she was excited to read my book. She said she’s always trying to find books to add to her collection because they still help her but also so she can share them with her sons who lost a dad too young. “It never goes away,” she said. I showed her my chapter called “Room to never get over it” and the tears welled up again in her eyes. She nodded knowingly and said “Exactly.”
I thought I was going to have a fun moment of seeing my books on a major store’s book shelves, which was great. But these types of things are what really make me thankful. There are so many people carrying grief all around us. They’re bagging our groceries, driving our ubers, smiling at us as we walk down the road.
They’re stocking shelves at an Indigo on a Thursday night.
When I left this woman said “We were meant to meet tonight. This was meant to be.” She was so thankful to have that moment to give her grief room.
May you find room for your grief too, dear griever. Whether it be through this book, or this page, or another book, or another page, or a random stranger you meet in a store. Grieving Room is important.
Leanne Friesen 