Grief

Greetings, gentle Dot Calm readers -

I have been in the thick of grieving the passing of the beautiful, brilliant, and too-good Dot Calm.

It's hard when you lose your best friend in the world, especially when that friend was extraordinary as Dot Calm was.

Fortunately, though, as I walk the path of grief, bright spots emerge.

One bright spot has been remembering all the lovely people she took care of. One young man, whose wife left him with four kids, comes to mind. He treasures Dot as she deserves to be treasured. I find that validating.

Another has been a new friend, who is completely accepting and understanding. It's nice not to have to explain or defend myself for a change. Some people think they can be your best friend without understanding friendship. Some prefer to judge and condemn rather than support or help. So it's nice when a true friend comes along, and you get to know each other and develop that friendship, and this friend is totally present with you when you melt down from grief and holds you in complete love and support.

Another came to me from one of my favorite Facebook pages: God at TheGoodLordAbove. There are other Facebook gods out there, but, in my humble opinion, this is the real deal. He is strong enough in His selfhood to quote Voltaire, a famous atheist: "God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh." Even atheists believe in God at TheGoodLordAbove. You may, too, when you read the piece below, which Facebook God posted on grief right when I needed it. Pour yourself the beverage of your choice and toast your love for someone you have lost, make sure you have Kleenex handy, then read the article.

This early in the day, I'm going for decaf.

But don't be eating or drinking when you watch the Carol Burnett video I've posted below the article from Good (thanks, FB God!). I don't want to be responsible for any damaged keyboards.