No one escapes grief unscathed. It’s always painful, and deep grief leaves scars.
But scars are signs of healing.
My daughter purchased this painting, “Scars” by my long-time friend, Fran Bostick. The painting spoke to Madison in her pain and loss but also shined hope on her grief. Most of the colors are moody earthtones that signify the pain and loss. However, the scars in the middle of the painting are depicted with bright orange and hot pink. They are hopeful colors. Fran told me that the painting was originally painted with these bright colors - pink and orange. She went back and added the more somber colors, leaving scars of the original pink and orange.
That’s been my experience with grief. My once bright canvas has been covered with sadness and loss, but the scars reveal traces of who I once was…before the loss. I see my scars as beautiful. They are a remnant of my grief, a reminder of what I’ve been through. Though my tapestry is darker, it also has more depth and meaning.
When I first saw the painting, I came across a verse from The Cure for Sorrow and thought the two married perfectly. I am not unmarked by my grief. But I am also not unhinged by it. Thanks be to God.
Yet I have seen the blessing that came after the rending -
how you took what was torn
and made a life
not unmarked by
what had passed before,
but not unhinged by it.
From “Blessing for One Already Brave” from Jan Richardson’s, The Cure for Sorrow
"Scars" by Fran Bostick
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