'Loss.' Written by my friend  Terri.......... 

The pain of loss is constant, almost like a heartbeat. One might consider it a branding within, invisible to the naked eye....Here we speak not of the momentary sense of panic at the thought of 'lost' car keys at 08.55am on a weekday morning, the rising sickness within when confronted with the realisation of a misplaced family heirloom, but of the overwhelming sense of grief that hits like a thunder bolt at the sight of that one empty seat at family gatherings.The one gift that is destined to remain beneath the Christmas tree un-opened, and reduces the physical body to a series of gut wrenching sobs so powerful you feel that the pain seeps freely and without control from your every pore, every fibre of your being an open wound.In an otherwise happy life the soul touched by loss is immediately plunged into a darkness so debilitating it feels, and is indeed considered all consuming.Yet somehow, despite this internal breakdown, the pain you feel inside, you manage to walk the streets without suspicion.The veil of normality that you strive to present to the outside world is successfully accepted, as folk seem to smile, and treat you much as before.The hands of time continue while you remain anchored to the point at which loss first touched. Lonliness, like an old friend, appears to greet you as you descend into the shadows of what was once your life.Silent screams within the sound proof cell that has become your mind are punctured only by sweet memories, past happiness attached to days of old.The strength of your love for that which you feel has been lost shines upon your very existence a light so beautiful it is reminicent of a new dawn breaking, and so you emerge once more....Though love quells not thine yearning for the physical.. oh how you wish you could hold the one you love, have each of your senses ignited by the sound of their laughter.. it does become your driving force.Through eyes unclouded by pain, the true beauty is finally understood, for loss is an experience reserved only for those whom know the magic and wonder of unconditional love.Those who have lost are not unfortunate, but living angels granted a badge of true love and understanding.