Complicated grief demands that we ease our pain with something that gratifies our spiritual and emotional selves. One way to do this is to utilize a simple ritual to help with grief. Jewish tradition holds that we can make a small difference in the lives of others or on the earth on a daily basis. Each day, the practice of Tikkun Olam (roughly translated as “Repair of the World”) teaches us that we can choose to begin anew. For instance, we can honor the memory of one who has died by sending money to a non-profit in that person’s memory. Or we can plant a particularly lovely shade of rosebush in our yard to remind us of our connection to life. Leaving a legacy for that person by making a tangible and/or symbolic token of our bond, can nurture our spirit. For children and adults, the story of Miss Rumphius is one shining example of this practice in the world.
