Good Grief 88

As I walked today I noticed this grouping of trees, how they collectively formed this beautiful united shape and appear to face the world as one - bonded, supported and completely connected. But then I thought how interesting it was that each individual grows outwards, of course, towards the space and light. The place where each individual develops is beyond the group. And yet, if, by chance, a storm swept through and any one of those trees remained standing alone, it would be so deformed.
So many metaphors to be had.
I feel so exhausted - it was a struggle to walk out and yet I feel I should get some fresh air and some exercise.
I thought about a lovely letter I had received from an elderly friend of my mother's. In spite of her age her son had bought her up to dad's funeral. We had spoken on the phone and talked about the difficulties of loss.
In her letter she wrote, 'I think you expect too much of yourself. You have had two very difficult times with the two special men in your life ... you have cared for your parents ... and there have been many worries, I can only imagine the pain for all of you when your mother developed that terrible illness... I have been without A (her husband) for 6 years and I am only just now coming to terms with his death ... Life is not over for you ... but I know how painful it is now ...'.
I was hugely moved by it and walked in tears as the frozen rain stung my cheeks. It feels like such an endless sorrow.