Emotional Estuary

Gratitude and grief are not opposing forces.

They are not rivers running separate courses.

Rather, they merge together - a brackish estuary, Where fresh joy and salty tears naturally collide.

Because gratitude and joy cannot exist without pain; Without knowing the dark hollowness of the other side. And the sunsets, cozy socks, friendships, and life’s building blocks -

Are all things the people we are missing are missing.

Each new item, as it’s added to the gratitude list, Becomes a visceral reminder of all that is missed, And in these moments gratitude is excruciating

As it transforms itself into unforgiving grief.

Conversely, grief cannot exist without first knowing joy - Without us first having known the power of love’s relief. And the experiences, memories, and lessons learned Force our hearts to whisper “I’m so glad I knew you.”

Each new tear that falls for those beloved ones we have lost Becomes a reminder of the joy that precedes the cost. And in those moments grief’s bitterness becomes oh so sweet As it mixes with gratitude’s persistent freshness.