Books by Judy Strong

My vacation is nearly over and it has been wonderful. But I have to add one more reason to get away for awhile. Vacations are for reflection. Have you noticed how differently you think about things when you’re away from home? A change of scenery and experience and meeting new people is relaxing, and generates a different perspective.

I left on my adventure with ideas in my head about my various grief activities. My personal involvement has grown through group leadership and participation, while my writing has slowed down. My first thought was to reverse that situation. I changed my mind after I encountered people everywhere I visited who had a story to tell about loss.

Face to face sharing and personal response has no equal. The gift of listening is comfort itself, wrapped inside the support of a touch of the hand and a smile. There are incomparabe riches for both parties when you trust someone with your deepest emotions.

So, upon reflecting, I plan to enlarge my group involvement, while keeping up with the writing, also my passion. My heart is telling me to do this.

Happy rest of the summer,

Judy

Why does anyone ever take a vacation? There are several reasons. A short getaway, business/pleasure, sight-seeing, or an extended trip for any purpose all qualify. My vacation this summer has been an extended trip to visit family.
Our family live all over the North American continent. Christmas usually finds us at my house in Arizona. Everyone who can, comes to celebrate and to connect with one another. It’s an important aspect of being “family”. This year, I decided to spend a couple months going to see them where they live. It’s been wonderful, relaxing, busy, and enlightening to be with only one household at a time. I’m always amazed and proud of how my children live their lives. Their ability to achieve, solve problems, and maintain the life style of their choosing is remarkable. More importantly, we’re a family that cares about spending time with one another. I felt welcomed in each household.

A vacation allows one to get away from your homefront and examine your life from another perspective. A vacation is about change, a change in scenery, climate, values, and daily routines. It serves to make room for considering possibilities, new directions, what to let go of, and what to keep.

This vacation is serving that purpose for me. Renewed energy and ideas are motivating me, and directions for my continued commitment to the grieving community are taking shape. I also see some brand new endeavors on the horizon.

I need to take longer vacations more often. How about you?

Judy