The Coach’s Corner Newsletter #111
There is sorrow and numbness and grief permeating every eye-witness account of horror, devastation and loss from last week’s catastrophic flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country of Texas. At this writing, the swift moving waters have claimed the lives of at least 120 people…one third of them children. More than 160 people remain missing.
THIS WEEK’S INSIGHT
When grief is overwhelming
The haunting image above was created by my granddaughter – after I shared that I had no words to describe the hole I felt in my heart. Through her beautiful composition, she allowed me to go deeper into the loss I was feeling so that I could begin to process my emotions.
In Mallory Smith’s poignant article, How Art Makes Us More Human: Why Being Creative Is So Important In Life, she shares the link between art and mental health.
Art can be an incredibly powerful tool in helping us to manage our mental health and well-being. Studies have found that art can reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and improve our ability to cope with difficult emotions. Art provides a safe space for us to express our thoughts and feelings, allowing us to connect with ourselves on a deeper level.
My thoughts turn frequently to the parents, families and friends of each person who was swept away in the flooding. I feel the weight of those still on the ground and in the water doing what they can to assist in the recovery efforts. I’m in awe of the camp counselors, individual and collective rescue efforts and those who’ve crossed state lines to respond and help in any way they are needed.
And as I return again and again to this image, I feel there’s a journey I’m taking that connects me to others who are grieving.
THIS WEEK’S TOOL
How do you cope?
You are not alone. There are so many who will now remember life as that time before and after the floods.
Brian Perry has written a powerful article, Coping With Sudden Loss After The Hill Country Floods.
Here’s how Perry breaks it down:
The First Few Days Are a Blur
Grief doesn’t knock politely. It kicks the door in. You may feel numb. Or overwhelmed. Or like you’re watching your life happen from the outside. That’s normal.
In those early days, the only thing that matters is surviving hour by hour. A few things that helped me:
- Let people in. Take the food. Accept the help. Say yes when someone offers to sit with you. You don’t have to carry this alone.
- Feel what you feel. Cry. Yell. Go quiet. Talk or don’t. There’s no script.
- Take care of your body. Grief is exhausting. Drink some water. Eat a little something. Rest if you can.
There’s No Timeline—But There Are Lifelines
This isn’t something you get over. It’s something you learn to carry. And while the pain doesn’t vanish, there are people who can walk with you through it.
Finding Your Way Forward
There’s no finish line. No point where someone hands you a trophy and says, “You’re done grieving.” But over time, you’ll learn how to carry it. Some days, that weight will feel unbearable. Other days, it might feel a little lighter.
Maybe you’ll smile at a memory. Maybe you’ll find comfort in something that reminds you of them. Maybe you’ll sit quietly and feel okay—for a minute. That counts. That matters.
If today, all you do is breathe and read this? That’s enough.
Thank you Brian Perry – so very insightful.
My takeaway
I’ve leaned on my husband, close friends, little ones and our faith community to walk through this journey.
And, as Perry so beautifully reminds us, “if all you do is breathe and read this? That is enough.”
If you’re so moved, there are ways to give to organizations that allow you to feel connected. Here’s a link that shares a list of folks/companies that are on the ground and could use your financial assistance.
We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world – the company of those who have known suffering.
Helen Keller
