February 11, 2026

Embracing the Dragons

“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something that needs our love.” — Rainer Maria Rilke

Grief often arrives as a fierce dragon guarding a deep wound. The loss of a child can feel overwhelming and terrifying. Many grieving parents face moments when sorrow feels like an insurmountable beast. Fear and anger may rise as natural responses to pain. However, beneath that fierce exterior, grief often carries a hidden invitation. The invitation asks for courage and tenderness toward what hurts the most. Recognizing grief as both fierce and vulnerable can open a path to healing. That path requires bravery—not to conquer grief, but to love it patiently.

Every moment of pain can also hold a quiet grace. The dragons guarding sorrow may be misunderstood protectors of love. The hardest emotions often ask for our attention, not rejection. When parents allow grief to be seen, felt, and held with kindness, transformation begins. Love does not erase loss but reshapes its meaning. The act of loving grief itself softens its sharp edges. Grief becomes less a monster and more a sacred teacher. Learning to face the dragons with open hearts reveals a new kind of strength.

The journey through loss demands more than endurance; it asks for acceptance. Acceptance means recognizing sorrow as a form of love. Embracing grief can feel impossible at first. Yet, the willingness to be present with pain offers unexpected peace. Many grieving parents find moments of beauty in the darkest places. Those moments are gifts born from courage and love combined. The dragons do not vanish but shift into companions on the journey. Love turns the terrible into something tender and alive.

Thought for today: Act with courage toward your grief. Allow love to transform what feels terrible into something meaningful.