In 1969, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross published what would become “the” book on processing grief – On Death and Dying. Since then, her original five stages have been revised to seven stages, and applied not just to grief associated with death, but other situations you encounter in life.
- Shock
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Testing
- Acceptance
As exciting as this new adventure is, there is also some grief associated with the things we are giving up and leaving behind. Today it is heavy as we attend our last dance recital. This studio has been our daughter’s (and also my) home for ten years. The team teaches more than just dance, they have been a safe space for her when she needed an outlet for stress, or needed advice from another trusted adult, other than her parents. They have taught her life skills. They have loved and supported her like their own.
Thank you West University Dance Center.
The next 22 days will be full of last moments and goodbyes. And it is going to be hard. But in the wise words of Dr. Seuss, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.“
Red, White and Tulips 