Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Ricky Gervais’ After Life is one of the most profoundly beautiful (and funny) explorations of mourning I’ve ever seen.

If the only thing constant is change, what are we doing ever trying to hold onto anything constant?

It doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t mean it’s not hard. But we have to embrace the change. We have to embrace the after. We have to embrace the living aspect of the life part.

Whether it’s a loved one, a chapter in life, or… substitute in whatever exhale you need to follow up with a good, deep inhale.

The show uses this poem and I’m putting it here as a good reminder for every day.

“Immortality,” by Clare Harner

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints in snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awaken with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there,
I did not die.