Anyone grieving the death of a significant person in their life can tell you that it is a rollercoaster ride. Most describe emotions vacillating between highs and lows for many months, even years. Right when you think it’s over, another loss happens and you process the first more deeply. Each loss seems to interconnect with the next.
Since this has been my experience as well, I shouldn’t be surprised by my reaction Monday night as I watch one of my favorite shows – Dancing with the Stars.
Each season the show celebrates the most memorable year of each dancer’s life. Monday night Lea Thompson and her partner Artem Chigvintsev dance to Luther Vandross song entitled, Dance with my Father Again.
Sharing her story of her father’s struggle with cancer and celebrating holidays leading up to his death, she spoke about his last Christmas, when he got off the couch, dancing with her for the last time.
Lea and Artem did a fabulous job of capturing emotion through dance.
Sobbing as I watch, all I could think about was the way my father and I danced in our living room when I was a little girl, and the times as a grown woman – the last times at my wedding.
Grief has a way of creeping up on you, taking your breath away when you least expect it and when you think the journey is complete.
Monday night reminds me that the circle of loss is continuous and never-ending. The curve might not stop you in your tracks as often or derail you completely; however, the seedlings of grief that are left can sprout even years later and its’ roots can run deep.
Thank you Lea and Artem for giving me another opportunity to express my emotion and to dance with MY father again!
You can read more about my father and our relationship in my post “Disease of Secrets” – Part I and II.
Greet Grief 
GG, lovely post. I’m not so sure the grief journey ever ends nor that I’d necessarily want it to if that meant leaving memories behind as well.
Unfortunately I was unable to watch it however Dancing With the Stars here in Australia last week had the dancers dancing to music that was special to them. One of the celebrities (a singer) danced to “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey (that she sung at her Pop’s funeral). She never had the chance to say goodbye. At the end of the dance, she was in tears and one of the judges who had lost her father in similar circumstances was also in tears and could even speak. It was certainly sad for sure.
And of course, because they were crying, so did I. It doesn’t take much to set me off down memory lane or bring up things that remind me of my own grief. So, I feel for you. I really do.
Suz, that is what makes grief universal – those of us who have lost loved ones never forget and we develop great empathy for those who are experiencing it. Tears come easily for those with compassionate hearts – thanks for sharing, and for caring! Hugs to you in Australia