Life - after Death.
Rhoda Y. Beller
I was 2.5 years old when my sister was born. I was a very shy 2.5 year old. My parents left me with my Grandmother. She had really never heard me speak much because I was so shy. But when the door closed behind my parents, as they left for the hospital to have my sister, I took my Grandmother by the hand and led her to my parents big bed and laid down on the bed, stomach down and said to her: ‘Let’s Talk!’ My Grandmother was pleasantly surprised and she laid down next to me and we just talked… That is where our relationship began.
Later in life, as an adult, I’d call my grandmother and start the conversation with, ‘Let’s Talk’. She’d say the same to me when I would visit - She’d sit down next to me and say “Let’s Talk!”. We always had a wonderful connection because we always liked to talk, together - just she and I. I was fortunate that our relationship lasted well in to my 40’s before she passed.
Skip forward a year or so after she passed, I had just learned that my husband (at the time) was having an affair. I would have done anything to have had a conversation with my Grandmother because her husband (my grandfather) also had an affair. She was the only one I knew, really knew (at the time) who’s husband had an affair. I knew speaking to her would have been so helpful. After that thought, a few days later, a post card came in the mail… it had in BIG letters on it: Let’s Talk! (See photo below) It was in that moment, I knew that our talks could still happen, but they’d look and be different than they used to.
I learned over the years that, my relationship with my grandmother was indeed different, but I could still stay in relationship with her. I would sit with my journal and a cup of tea and have intentional journal sessions with my grandmother. Asking: “What do you have to say to me about this?”….. and I’d let the pen go….. and I’d always be pleasantly surprised about what she’d say to me.
This is the cut out words from the post card that I received that day. It is still taped to the mirror in my bedroom.
I’ve learned, life after death is possible. it’s just different. And It’s up to us to keep the spirit of those who go before us alive and that is a gift we give to ourselves.
“Let’s Talk Grandma!”
