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Katie Rizzo's avatar

Megan Devine said something about Let your grief unfurl.

That quote saved me. I love to stand at the top of mountains and look out over the world. There I can let my grief out like a giant flag. I love this article about scale, because I've needed that large scale as a place to hold these large feelings. Thanks you!

Rio Richards's avatar

ohhh I love that quote! It is new to me, so thank you so much for sharing. "Unfurl" feels like the perfect word.

Alyssa Wiens's avatar

This makes do much sense, but I've never heard it framed this way! The beach and ocean have been a really important place if healing for me in my grief

Rio Richards's avatar

For me, too. I'm so glad this resonated with you :)

Shelley Park's avatar

I have felt this in my bones the last two years with no way to describe it. Thank you again for putting into words what I'm feeling. Last fall we went to Switzerland b/c I felt like the Alps might be big enough to hold my grief. Sadly, they were covered in clouds the entire time we were there. We just returned from walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain: 113km in 5 days. It was an amazing experience I'm still processing, but I think totally falls into this same category of awe and space. I highly recommend.

Rio Richards's avatar

Oh wow Shelley, Spain sounds so incredible and special. I can only imagine the awe you felt in those 5 days!

Tina Hedin's avatar

I loved reading this, it explains the WHY of what I've experienced in the last 3 years of living with grief and finding relief in nature. I appreciate your insight and can confirm that all of it is true. I walk outside, wherever and whenever I can. I have found deep peace of mind looking out at a distant view—ocean horizon, desert or mountains. Great insight in this essay.

Rio Richards's avatar

Thank you so much Tina for sharing your own experience with grief and finding relief in nature. I am always walking outside whenever I can and it's some of the fastest most effective medicine for me :)

Kathy Mandell Travel Dog Lady's avatar

I run to the ocean. She is my go-to. My world of comfort. For about 27 years I worked in a beautiful renovated barn that had become our office building. It was my second home because I worked long hours. The ceilings were very high and a lot of incredibly creative types worked for and with me. Low ceilings really bug me. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Rio Richards's avatar

Ohhh I can imagine the inspiration that a beautiful barn with high ceilings would bring! Sounds so magical.

Kathy Mandell Travel Dog Lady's avatar

That is definitely a word I would use to describe the place. There was nowhere like it. We rarely had visitors, as we even back in those days didn't work with people face-to-face (a whole long story there but it was phone and mail mainly)... anyway, on the rare occasion when a client might visit, they would audibly gasp when they walked in to the place. It was so cool looking. It was a wonderful place to work, and I have very fond memories.

Julia Perry's avatar

Thanks. Oddly enough… I began walking in a park 2 1/2 miles from home. 4 acre lake, trees, plants, woods, paths. It has helped me more than anything has in the last 5 years. Someone else had shared her experience walking/hiking. And now your piece. I appreciate it. Timing. Synchronicity.

Rio Richards's avatar

Hi Julia, wow that does feel synchronous indeed. I'm so glad walking in the park has been so helpful and that this piece affirmed what you already know/ have felt.

Darcy Wigfall's avatar

Never thought of scale but how appreciate. Been able to handle my grief until losing my adult son tragically. Clearly I am headed to the beach this week!! Thank you so much!

Rio Richards's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Darcy, and I am so deeply sorry for what you're going through. I hope you were able to make it to the beach and feel the ease/ peace/ wildness of the ocean :)

Darcy Wigfall's avatar

Still on my agenda. Weather here is not cooperating. Thank you for sharing your writing and reply.

Kathy Mooney's avatar

This explains why I always need to run away. These wide open spaces at the ocean and the mountains seem to be where I can find peace in my brokenness. My grief needs no explanation in these spaces. My heart can be unapologetically broken. I can just be me.