Monsignor Pope Ping!
A Grief Observed is a collection of C. S. Lewis's reflections on the experience of bereavement following the death of his wife, Joy Davidman, in 1960. The book was first published in 1961 under the pseudonym N.W. Clerk, as Lewis wished to avoid identification as the author. Though republished in 1963, after his death, under his own name, the text still refers to his wife as “H” (her first name, which she rarely used, was Helen).
The book is compiled from the four notebooks used by Lewis to vent and explore his grief. He illustrates the everyday trials of his life without Joy and explores fundamental questions of faith and theodicy. Lewis’ stepson (Joy's son) Douglas Gresham points out in his 1994 introduction that the indefinite article ‘a’ in the title makes it clear that Lewis’ grief is not the quintessential grief experience at the loss of a loved one but rather one individual’s perspective, among countless others.
Mercat, I am very sorry for your loss. That is all I can say. So many people's suffering is hidden so deep down. You just never know what another person is going through.
But I feel with you, and I will pray with you.
When my 93-year-young mother had passed nust after the start of this year, two days before the feast of the magi’s visit to the Christ child. At least she was able to go home to God two before a great feast.