Writing with Melissa: Writing About Loved Ones We've Lost

Writing about those we've lost is hard but important work.

Today marks twelve years since my daughter Molly died. I wanted to write about her today, but I didn't know where to begin. What I finally did was to write "5 Things I Want to Share with You about Molly." I listed 5 things...sometimes including more details or even a relevant memory. I turned the results into my first ever podcast (below.)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hS6e-WG0zDDDAo4Fe0zIW6-B1eSt38sm

or listen on SoundCloud.

I'm sure the quality and audio will keep getting better, but you have to start somewhere.

Prompts to write about loved ones we've lost:

1. List 3, 5, 10 things you want to share about that loved one.
2. Set a timer for 10 - 20 minutes, and just write everything you remember about that person. Things they did, things they said, funny expressions they had, the time they.... Just keep writing for twenty minutes.

At this point you may be reduced to a puddle of tears. Or you may feel inspired and motivated by their memory. If you'd like to take it further, choose one memory that you have written, set your timer again, and write out that memory with as much detail as you can remember.

Or...just sit with the memories you have written, put aside your pen and paper, close your eyes, and breathe. What you are feeling is all the love you still have - and always will have - for your loved one.

At the end of the podcast I share a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh from his book No Death No Fear.

I hope you enjoy the podcast. If you'd like to share any of your writing to this prompt, please feel free to do so in the comments below or email me at WritingWithMelissa@gmail.com.

This is hard work but important work. 

Join the workshop and let your voice be heard.

Much love always,

Melissa