Have you ever noticed how grief and joy always seem to linger near each other? The movie Inside Out portrays this so well- Joy and Sadness spend much of the story tugging in opposite directions, but by the end, they realize they’re never really separate. Our most meaningful memories usually carry both- the joy of what was, and the ache of what’s gone.
That’s how it feels in hospice, too. We grieve when we lose the companionship of someone dear- the sound of their voice, their little quirks and maybe even their famous secret recipe. The quiet after they’re gone can feel so heavy.
And yet, joy shows up too. There’s joy in knowing a loved one is no longer suffering. Joy in honoring a life well lived, in sharing stories and laughter that keep them close even after they’ve left us. There’s joy in the tender privilege of simply sitting by their side in those final days.
It’s not one or the other. It’s both. Grief and joy don’t cancel each other out- they walk hand in hand, reminding us that the depth of our sorrow is only proof of how deeply we’ve loved. And love, in all its fullness, is what makes space for both the tears and the laughter at the same table.
If you find yourself carrying both grief and joy today, maybe take a moment to remember a story, a smile, or a small memory of your loved one that holds both. Let yourself feel the ache and the warmth at the same time. That’s love’s way of reminding us they’re still with us, even now.
