A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing- Guest Post by Amanda Held Opelt

 

Editor's note:  Amanda wrote the very first blog post for this Sibling Grief Blog. She recently wrote a book about Grief and it comes out soon.  I asked her for an excerpt to share as this month's post. Her words are wise, born out of her own pain and grief. I hope this blesses you as it has blessed me!  -Jessica

In my new book A Hole in the World:  Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing, I explored ancient traditions surrounding loss and bereavement in order to better understand my own grief.  I wanted to try and make sense of all the complex emotions I was experiencing, and find some way to process them.  The passage below is from chapter 10, which is about the ritual of funeral games.  Funeral games, like practical jokes and hide and seek, were often played at Irish wakes.  But the ancient Greeks often engaged in fierce competitions, like chariot races, wrestling, and archery, after a funeral.  It was thought that this would honor the person who had died.  It was also a way for mourners to experience life, diversion, and vigor once more after loss.