The Lessons Learned from Loss

& the Evolution of Grief

From left to right: Lola Josie, Lola Baby, Lolo Eddie, & Lolo Meong.

I found this photo of my grandparents yesterday and thought about my blessings. I know the word blessing is associated with religion; and in my case, my family members are devout followers of Catholicism. But words hold different meanings depending on the person, and blessing has always carried a weight of a different magnitude, away from god and religion.

When I was younger, I was more staunchly atheist. I pored over religious and philosophical text because I wanted to “make sure” I was an atheist. As Immanuel Kant said, “to know one is to know none.” I read to have this conversation with myself about my beliefs and interpretation of religion.