The Kick Ball

I remember growing up we used to play a game called kick ball. Someone was always responsible for making sure there was enough air in the ball so we would be able to kick it; which was the object of the game.

If the ball was deflated you could not kick it or if you did it wasn’t going far, if anywhere at all. However, once you put air back in the ball to inflate it, you could kick the ball for quite a distance.

When we are grieving, some people appear to adapt better than others. The analogy of the kick ball came to mind. The deflated ball won’t go very far, it won’t bounce, it won’t do much of anything. Sometimes the ball had cuts or tears and we would put a piece of tape over it so it would hold the air in.

Some people are deflated and they need air. They need time, they need something to stop the air from leaking out. They are unable to bounce right back because of the loss. However, with time, air, patience, and selflessness, they will. Watch and see.

When we suffer a loss, it’s just like the kick ball that is deflated from the loss of air. You can’t really use it until you fill it back up. You have to fill it back up with air. You don’t forget the loss. You don’t replace the loss.

The end game is to become inflated again so you can live again, thrive again. That person, place, or thing will always be with you; just not in the same way.

-Mona