This summer, I had my older three children read Naomi Shihab Nye’s novel Habibi about a girl who moves to Palestine. We had studied the culture and geography of the eastern hemisphere in social studies this past school year, and I’m always looking for literary connections. Rob and I always wanted our children to understandContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “Making a Fist””
Author Archives: Clarissa Moll
The Sea of Sorrow
I go to the ocean to sit with my grief. Dead things are everywhere here. The landscape feels familiar. Empty shells, bits of cast off crabs, seaweed dried crisp by the radiating heat of sun on sand. Waves roll in, pushing the ribbon of detritus up the beach, adding more death with every breaker. TheContinue reading “The Sea of Sorrow”
He Would Want You to Live
Let sorrow do its work. Elizabeth Prentiss, “More Love to Thee” Since Rob died, a number of people have told me, “He would want you to keep living.” I always appreciate that encouragement. It gets at the heart of what loss can do in your life, if you allow it. Honestly, after a year ofContinue reading “He Would Want You to Live”
Poetry Friday: “When Great Trees Fall”
Welcome to Poetry Friday! Today we journey through grief with Maya Angelou. I love the cadence of her words and her connection to the natural world. As I reflect on the early days after Rob’s death, Angelou’s description of grief especially rings true to me. I wonder where you find yourself in today’s poem. DoesContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “When Great Trees Fall””
Walking My Land, Saying Goodbye
This acreage once housed my dream. When Rob and I bought our property in 2018, we sensed a shifting as our children eased out of homeschooling and into hybrid schooling. For the first time since our early marriage, I would have some time to spare, some extra space to breathe and dream. Rob and IContinue reading “Walking My Land, Saying Goodbye”
Falling Asleep
When our first child was born, Rob and I quickly realized the all-consuming nature of baby bedtime routines. After the evening feeding, Rob swaddled our little girl snuggly, hoisted her high onto his shoulder and slow danced her through the kitchen to the melodies of old church songs and Crosby Stills and Nash. As sheContinue reading “Falling Asleep”
The Right Way to Grieve
Six months after Rob died, a global pandemic began. What a crazy year in which to grieve. While COVID-19 has complicated our grief process in myriad ways, foremost, the pandemic forced me to reevaluate the wisdom of cross-country travel this summer for the anniversary of Rob’s death. I wrestled for months about giving up thatContinue reading “The Right Way to Grieve”
It’s Alright to Cry
Since having kids, I’ve become a real crier. Perhaps motherhood’s hormones tipped the scales. Maybe I’ve just developed more empathy as I’ve aged. Whatever the cause, the result has been lots of tears in our house. Happy, sad, angry, wistful, frustrated. All the tears. They’re all welcome. As a regular crier, I’ve always disliked theContinue reading “It’s Alright to Cry”
Poetry Friday: “Farewell”
Recently, my kids and I enjoyed a getaway respite at my sister’s home down on the farm. Moving in the midst of grief and pandemic is challenging, and we all needed a break. My sister’s acreage abuts farmland that is under conservation, preserved for generations to come just as it’s been farmed by generations before.Continue reading “Poetry Friday: “Farewell””
Attending to Children in Grief
Just two weeks before he died, Rob taught our youngest to swim underwater. On a hot summer night at a campground pool in Salt Lake City, she jumped off the deck into his waiting arms over and over again. Perhaps the thrill of jumping made her brave. When Rob asked if she wanted to tryContinue reading “Attending to Children in Grief”
