Update On Joanne

Hi all,
Here's something that my colleague, Marie, who recently lost her 7-year-old daughter, sent me.
Love,
Jeannine

WHEN YOU ARE BEREAVED, IT IS ALRIGHT TO ...

Scream in the shower; yell in the car;
Howl at the moon; cry anywhere you like;
Misplace your glasses; lose the car;
Forget your own name;
Put milk in the cupboard, toilet paper in the refrigerator and ice cream in the oven;
Beat up a pillow; stomp on the ground;
Throw stones in a lake; change grocery stores if it hurts;
Wear one black shoe and one navy; have tear stains on your tie;
Eat French fries for breakfast, toast for lunch and peanut butter for dinner (as long as you can eat);
Write her a letter or bake her a cake.
Celebrate her life on her birthday;
Talk to your pets (they understand);
Leave her room the way it is for as long as you like;
Say her name just to hear the sound;
Talk about her to others. Tell loved ones what you need;
Say no when you feel like it; cancel plans if you want,
and Have a bad day.

AND ONE DAY WHEN YOU'RE READY, IT'S ALRIGHT TO ...

Laugh again; Dance and feel good;
Have a good time;
Look forward to tomorrow
Sing in the shower;
Smile at a friend's mum;
Wear make-up once more;
Go for a day, a week - and even a month without crying;
Celebrate the holidays;
Forgive those who failed you;
Learn something new;
Look at her pictures and remember with happiness, no pain;
Go on with your life;
And cherish the memories.
And one day when it's time,
it's all right to love again.

- Vicki Tushingham