A Lesson on Life

"Oh now, don't you be afraid sweetheart. Death is just apart of life- something we're all destined to do. But I happen to believe that you make ya' own destiny. You have to do the best with what life gives you"

- Mrs. Gump

Dedication

To Grandma, Mom, and Jo,

This project is dedicated to the three women who have shown me the beauty of life and the blessing of family. I am so grateful to have been able to learn and love alongside you in this life. Without the illumination of your guiding hands, navigating this world would be like ascending from a dark cavern- I would never be able to see the light at the end. I hope to give you a fraction of the clarity and support which you have so selflessly gifted to me.

-With love,

Blake

The Gift

So often does loss consume us in the realm of the unknown. The Gift of Grief attempts to give knowledge to those who are healing through loss. Grief is and endless process, but I hope that these letters give you some sort of closure that everything will be okay; or at the very least I hope you will be able to find solidarity and relate to some of the themes I evoke.

Even when you think you are alone, love will always be there by your side.

A Message to the Audience

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for reading my letters. I have been constructing this project since the summer of 2020 when I first pitched the idea to my Grandma, Mom, and Sister. After asking them to write letters to their passed fathers, taking with them about their experiences with loss, and sifting through old photo books. I hope that this project will give not only them justice, but I hope that you will be able to take something away from these letters as well.

I also hope that these letters might provide those experiencing the healing process of grief with a sense of solidarity. I hope that you are able to relate to my story and the lessons I've learned along my own journey of grief.