As my life has progressed,
The ways in which I navigate grief and accept loss have evolved.
I now tend to be more prayerful and contemplative when someone close to me passes away,
Seeking to connect with a deeper meaning for their existence.
My connection with meaning seems to be more robust as I gravitate toward a conscious rapport with God's comforting essence through prayer such as,
Dear God,
As I grieve the passing of this person,
Please help me find comfort in Your presence.
Guide me toward appreciation of the time I spent with them,
As well as acceptance of the reality that it was their time to depart the physical world.
Aid me in my resonance with the deeper meaning of their existence and how the relevance of their life will be not only sustained,
But exponentially advanced through the impact they had on those who were blessed with the opportunity to be around them.
Position me to be actively inspired by the ways in which they interacted with and influenced the world so that I may pay forward the gracious gifts they have given to me through my words,
Actions,
And contemplative way of living.