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Grief Navigation & Joy

By Jane | Published on  
Embracing grief: learning from loss and the transformative power of hospice care.

The Unbearably Sad, Ironically Funny, and Brutally Honest Story of Amy Krouse Rosenthal

At the end of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s life, she wrote a piece for the “Modern Love” column of the New York Times that was read worldwide by over five million people. The piece, titled “You May Want to Marry My Husband,” was both painfully honest and humorous, and it focused on the love story between Amy and her husband, Jason. Although it was certainly about their life together, the piece was primarily about Jason, and it left an empty space for him to fill with another love story.

Amy was Jason’s wife for half his life, and they shared a deep love for art, documentaries, music, and values. She was a prolific author, publishing over 30 children’s books and two groundbreaking memoirs. She was also a self-described tiny filmmaker, and her films showed her natural ability to gather people together. She was a terrific public speaker, talking with children and adults of all ages all over the world.

However, Amy’s life was cut short by ovarian cancer, and her death left a lasting impact on Jason’s life. His story of grief is only unique in the sense that it was rather public, but the grieving process itself was not his story alone. Amy gave him permission to move forward, and he’s grateful for that.

Overall, the story of Amy Krouse Rosenthal is one of love, loss, and the power of storytelling. Her words continue to inspire and comfort others who are going through difficult times, and her legacy lives on through her books and films.

Losing a loved one is never easy, and the grieving process can be long and difficult. Jason shares his experience of moving forward through and with grief after the loss of his wife, Amy. He learned a few things in the process and is here to share them with others who might be going through a similar experience.

Firstly, it’s important to talk about the end of life, which can be a taboo subject. In Amy’s case, she was on home hospice and passed away in their bed. Jason vividly remembers carrying her lifeless body down the stairs to a waiting gurney to have her body cremated. The memory haunts him to this day.

Jason also learned the importance of having conversations about death before it happens. He and Amy talked openly about it and discussed subjects like parenting and how he could be the best parent possible to their children in her absence. This gave him confidence and helped him cope with the loss.

Another important lesson Jason learned is that grief is not a solitary experience. Friends and family members also grieve, and it’s important to acknowledge their pain and offer support. It can be helpful to connect with someone else who has been through a similar experience and understand the lasting images that may haunt them.

Despite the pain and sadness, Jason also found joy in his new life. He followed Amy’s expressed and very public edict that he must go on, and he attempted to seek the joy and beauty that life is capable of providing. He experienced joy in dancing at concerts, traveling with family and friends, and witnessing his children’s milestones.

In conclusion, moving forward through and with grief is a challenging journey, but it’s important to talk about death, have conversations about how to move forward, acknowledge the pain of others, and seek joy and beauty in life.

Death is a subject that many people avoid talking about. However, the speaker in the video emphasizes the importance of discussing it openly and honestly, especially in the context of hospice care.

During his wife’s hospice care, the speaker and his family talked openly about death, making sure to discuss important topics such as parenting, and asking questions like “how can I be the best parent possible to our children in her absence?” These conversations helped the speaker gain confidence in his ability to move forward and persevere.

In addition to having important conversations with loved ones, the speaker also highlights the importance of acknowledging the difficulties of the hospice experience for the surviving family members. He encourages listeners to reach out to those who have gone through hospice care and simply offer to listen or talk about it.

The speaker also describes the importance of organizing visitors and groups of people during hospice care, as it can be a source of support and comfort for both the patient and their loved ones. He shares how brave his wife was to receive visitors, even as her physical decline began.

Overall, the speaker’s experience with hospice care and death has taught him the value of having conversations about these topics, both before and during the experience. By doing so, it can help ease fears and anxieties and provide much-needed support and comfort for those going through the process.

The legacy of Amy Krouse Rosenthal had a significant impact on Jason’s grieving process. Her public essay, “You May Want to Marry My Husband,” caused Jason to experience grief in a very public way. The essay received a worldwide readership and prompted an outpouring of support from readers.

Jason received many responses from readers that helped him with the grieving process, including humorous ones like a woman reader who proposed to him, provided he stopped drinking. Jason laughed through the tears when he read this note.

Jason learned that the grieving process is not unique to him, and many other people have gone through a similar experience. Members of the “losing-a-spouse club” reached out to him and provided valuable advice, including the repeated assurance that he would find joy.

Amy’s legacy, which includes her books, films, and public speaking, continues to impact Jason’s life. He finds joy and beauty in music, family gatherings, and simple moments in life, and he hugs the Japanese Zen concept of “Shoji,” which means “birth-death” and emphasizes the connection between life and death.

Jason’s experience highlights the importance of leaving a positive legacy and the impact it can have on those left behind. Amy’s legacy continues to bring joy and beauty to Jason’s life, even in the midst of grief.

The speaker discusses the concept of BirthDeath from Japanese Zen philosophy and how it has helped him find joy amidst grief. He explains that there is no separation between life and death, and they are connected by a thin line. The joyous, wonderful, and vital parts of life and the things we want to get rid of are said to be faced equally.

The speaker shares his experience of finding joy in simple moments of life, such as observing the sun reflecting off of Lake Michigan or listening to music. He also shares moments of joy from his children, such as his son texting him a picture with an older gentleman with a massive, strong forearm and his daughter practicing the bass guitar.

The speaker acknowledges that it is difficult to find joy amidst grief, but it is possible. He encourages readers to hug the concept of BirthDeath and find joy in the beauty of life.

In the wake of Amy’s passing, Jason found himself struggling with guilt and the weight of responsibility. He felt that he needed to honor Amy’s memory and carry on her legacy, but also needed to move forward and find happiness. In his journey, he discovered the power of permission - the idea that it was okay for him to feel a range of emotions and to prioritize his own needs.

Amy had given Jason permission to find joy in life, even in the midst of grief. Her message of hugging the BirthDeath concept allowed him to let go of the guilt and pain and instead, focus on the beauty of the present moment. Jason also realized that it was okay to ask for help and lean on others during difficult times.

Amy’s legacy lives on through her message of permission, which has helped countless others find peace and happiness in the face of loss. Her story reminds us that it’s okay to not have everything figured out and that it’s important to prioritize self-care and seek support from loved ones.

Losing a loved one can feel like the end of the world, but it can also inspire people to find beauty and meaning in unexpected places. In the video, Jason Rosenthal speaks about how he has found unexpected beauty and comfort in nature since Amy’s passing. He also mentions how he has been inspired by the outpouring of support and love from friends, family, and even strangers.

Finding beauty in the midst of loss can take many forms, and it often requires a shift in perspective. It may involve noticing the small moments of joy and connection that still exist in our lives, even in the midst of pain and grief. It may also involve creating new rituals or traditions that honor the memory of our loved ones.

One example of this is the “Beckoning of Lovely” event that Amy started before her passing. The event brought together strangers to create something beautiful and unexpected in a public space. Since Amy’s passing, the event has continued in her honor, with people all over the world participating and spreading joy and beauty in their own communities.

Another way to find beauty in loss is to focus on the positive impact that our loved ones had on the world. Amy’s work as a writer and artist touched countless lives and inspired many people, including her husband Jason. By focusing on the legacy that Amy left behind, Jason is able to find comfort and meaning in his grief.

Ultimately, discovering beauty in the midst of loss is a deeply personal process that looks different for everyone. It requires time, patience, and an open heart, but it can also bring unexpected moments of healing and peace.

Grief can feel like the end of the world, but it’s important to remember that life goes on. While it may seem difficult, it’s possible to start fresh and move forward after a loss. Jason suggests that we approach life as if we have a blank sheet of paper, and we get to decide what goes on that paper.

He emphasizes the importance of not being afraid to take risks and try new things, even if they seem scary or uncomfortable. He also encourages people to seek out new experiences and connect with others who share similar interests. In doing so, we create new memories and relationships that can help us move forward and find joy in life once again.

Jason also advises that people should not feel pressured to conform to others’ expectations of how they should grieve or how long their grieving process should take. Everyone’s experience is unique, and it’s important to allow ourselves the time and space to heal in our own way.

Ultimately, the key to creating a fresh start after grief is to take control of our own lives and make deliberate choices about how we want to move forward. It may not be easy, and there will likely be setbacks along the way, but with time and effort, it’s possible to find happiness and fulfillment once again.

The journey through grief is never easy, but the story of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and her husband Jason provides valuable insights into the grieving process and how it can be navigated with grace and toughness. Amy’s legacy of love, kindness, and creativity lives on through her books, videos, and other projects, inspiring people all over the world to hug life to the fullest.

From Amy’s story, we have learned that grief is not something to be ignored or pushed aside. Instead, it is a natural process that requires us to confront our emotions and express them in healthy ways. Through Amy’s writing and art, we see that creativity can be a powerful outlet for grief, allowing us to express our feelings in ways that transcend words.

We also see the importance of talking about death and end-of-life care. By discussing these difficult topics openly and honestly, we can prepare ourselves and our loved ones for the inevitable, and make sure that our wishes are known and respected. Hospice care can provide comfort and support to both the dying person and their family, helping to make the end of life as peaceful as possible.

In addition, Amy’s story shows us the value of finding joy amidst grief, hugging the concept of BirthDeath, and discovering beauty in the midst of loss. We can take comfort in knowing that life is a cycle of birth and death, and that each new beginning carries with it the potential for growth and transformation.

Finally, we see the power of permission in allowing ourselves to grieve fully and on our own terms. By giving ourselves permission to feel all the emotions that come with loss, we can move through the grieving process with greater ease and find the strength to create a fresh start.

In conclusion, the story of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and her husband Jason is a testament to the power of love, creativity, and toughness in the face of loss. By learning from their experiences and applying their lessons to our own lives, we can move through grief with grace and come out on the other side with a renewed sense of purpose and hope.