Coping with Loss: How Women Navigate Grief
Photo Credit: Addison Skye Photography
By Katrina Addison
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." - Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Losing a parent is a profound and life-altering experience that leaves a void in the heart and soul. The pain of such a loss can be overwhelming, but amidst the darkness, there is often a glimmer of light—a memory, a lesson, a symbol that offers solace and healing. As a photographer who recently lost her father, I wanted to honor his memory by doing a photoshoot that represented how my dad would comfort me during times of loss.
‘The Girl with the Yellow Umbrella’ is a representation that reflects his wisdom passed onto me. The symbolism behind the story is simple: I was bullied in school and on many occasions my dad would take my hand and we would take a walk in the woods. On rainy days I would have my yellow umbrella in hand, and we would play in the rain, look for rainbows in the sky and amongst my loss of self-worth my father's words would bring healing and validation.
In the landscape of current society women around the globe continue to face various forms of loss, whether it be the loss of loved ones, career opportunities, health battles, or societal inequalities. Despite the challenges, women are resilient, resourceful, and capable of navigating through these turbulent waters with grace and strength. Society often expects them to be caregivers, nurturers, and the emotional pillars of their families and communities. As a result, they feel the need to suppress their own grief to support others, making their healing process more intricate.
One of the most profound losses women may encounter is the loss of a loved one. Whether through death, separation, or estrangement, the absence of those we hold dear can leave a void that seems insurmountable. Yet, they like me find solace among our memories while drawing support from a variety of support systems. Through shared stories, tears, and laughter, they find the courage to heal and carry on, honoring the memories of those they have lost.
Through the act of playing in the rain with my yellow umbrella, I learned the art of letting go—the art of releasing pain and sorrow- of embracing myself. Each raindrop in the shoot represented a tear shed and a memory cherished. The rainbow of umbrellas on the forest floor represented a journey to hope and the letter placed in the yellow umbrella represented my love letter to my dad and included words from the heart of gratitude and love. I love this quote by Dolly Parton: "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
In the vast world of loss, challenges and inequalities, women are no longer being silent bystanders but they are catalysts for change. They are taking their losses, dreams deferred, and other set-backs and confronting their challenges head-on, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth and self discovery carving out new paths and passions. The umbrella dress, created by Sybil Todd, represents wearing new paths and passions.
In essence, the losses that women face are varied and complex, yet they are met with unwavering resilience, strength, and solidarity. Through adversity, women forge bonds, amplify voices, and inspire change. They are not defined by their losses, but by their resilience in the face of them. As they navigate through the storms of life, they continue to embody the essence of courage, compassion, and unwavering strength.
