Morning and Mourning.
Although I did not consult with any etymologists directly, I have been completely informed by Wikipedia and therefore am completely confident (not) that these words did not originate from similar sources.
That being said, The Online Etymology Dictionary is a very interesting place to go if you need a break from Facebook or that online poker site…(you know who you are) 😉
Being soundly beaten by my Mom (and Dad and Max) in Scrabble over the holidays has provided me with some increased motivation to study a word or two.
These words however, morning and mourning, have been kicking around in my head for months.
I really didn’t understand what the word mourning meant until we lost Chris.
After that it didn’t take long to get the true meaning of that word…and it is something that will simply be a part of us forever.
You hear of a period of mourning. I guess in one sense that is very true, but I can’t believe that the feeling of loss and mourning will ever really disappear.
What I found interesting though was that the word morning, at least in our English language, lives in the word mourning.
Why interesting?
When I think of mourning I think of the ache of loss. When I think of morning I think of the energy and anticipation of a new day.
Hmmm…ache of loss while still anticipating the possibilities of a new day.
Yup, I would say there definitely can be morning in mourning.
I shot this pic a few weeks back. The winter can be seen as desolate and cold with the trees losing all their leaves. Although this is a shot of the sun setting on that very cold scene, to me it’s actually a sign of hope.
You know why?
After the sunset comes the morning. The same trees will still be bare. It will still be cold. The mourning will still be there. But morning, with all it’s anticipation of the future, will be there too.
Be The Best. 
4 replies on “Good morning, mourning.”
Hi again. It has been a long time since I commented but have been following along with your journey.
I have to agree with your comment:
“You hear of a period of mourning. I guess in one sense that is very true, but I can’t believe that the feeling of loss and mourning will ever really disappear.”
It has been 11 years since we started our ‘new normal’ and though each morning brings us new beginnings and many new doors have opened for our family-the memories, the moments of wanting to share a simple item from our day with that loved one, or talking to them from our heart never ends.
That just keeps them close with us and proof that we will always carry them in our hearts!
Happy 2011 to you and your family.
Thanks for your comment Karen…and all the best to you and your family for 2011 too!
When I started reading some of the ‘grief advice’ stuff, I sort of got the impression that if you went through enough stages of grief you would eventually ‘get fixed up’.
It rather quickly dawned on me that this was going to be a marathon and that life would never be the same.
What I am learning (and it looks like you’ve been there too!) is that the positives of a new day and new opportunity will happen in the continual context of some level of mourning and loss. Feelings and emotions may slow down from time to time, but they’ll never disappear…and actually the more we go through this, the less I would want that to happen anyways.
As you’ve stated, that longing to connect with our loves ones is what keeps us close and allows us to carry them in our hearts.
Thanks for writing.
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Good morning Randy,
Interesting piece. Strangely enough, I’ve been living in the tropics for 20 years and this morning you have actually made me miss the chill and beautiful winter sunrises 😊.
But yes, mourning is never-ending it seems. Gets less achy and the good memories carry one through…at least for me. We need to hold on and appreciate our loved ones when they are near.
All the best.