“To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it.” — Mary Oliver
Grieving parents learn a profound truth about love and loss. Loving what is mortal means embracing fragility. The life of a child, precious and brief, changes everything. Holding that love “against your bones” means carrying it deeply. The weight of loss can feel unbearable. Yet, that very weight is proof of a bond that death cannot sever. The body remembers what the heart has held. Pain and love intertwine, shaping a new way of living and feeling.
Every day, grieving parents face the paradox of love and mortality. The awareness of impermanence sharpens every moment of connection. Memories become sacred treasures held close to the skin. Love for a child does not vanish with their passing. Instead, that love becomes a living presence. It guides, comforts, and sometimes breaks the spirit anew. A grieving heart learns to carry both sorrow and gratitude. Holding mortality with tenderness becomes an act of courage and grace.
Loving what is mortal changes how a person moves through the world. Grieving parents often become more present in the smallest moments. The softness of a breeze, the warmth of sunlight, or a gentle touch can hold deep meaning. Life’s fleeting beauty shines through pain and loss. That beauty calls for attention and care. To hold mortal love against the bones is to live fully, even in grief. It reminds the soul that life, though fragile, remains precious beyond measure.
Thought for today: Embrace your love for what is mortal. Carry it close, knowing it shapes your strength and spirit.