After my first session with a grief counsellor, nine months after my husband's death, I searched for a version of Pandora's Box. During this session we had discussed how, when my husband died on January 19 2007, I took my backside off the box where I had carefully stored all my broken bits. I only took it off for a little while but when the lid opened all sorts of horrible things leaped out the box and splattered themselves all over the place. ... http://www.squidoo.com/palliativeart Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:24:26 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:19:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/palliativeart After my first session with a grief counsellor, nine months after my husband's death, I searched for a version of Pandora's Box. During this session we had discussed how, when my husband died on January 19 2007, I took my backside off the box where I had carefully stored all my broken bits. I only took it off for a little while but when the lid opened all sorts of horrible things leaped out the box and splattered themselves all over the place. Horrid little sprites, wasp like beasts, spiteful creatures with bull ant stings attacked me and I have been like the walking wounded ever since. I was too slow jamming the lid back on. Things had leaped out that could not be put back in the box. Fortunately, Hope remained and I have found she keeps taking different shapes. She has transmuted and taken the shape of a shiatsu therapist who helped me see I could be whole again. She has looked at me through the eyes of a grief counsellor and found expression through art. Art is far more effective at communicating the pain experience than words ever could be. The pain experience goes beyond the actual occurrence of physical pain and encompasses the entirety of one's life. The pain experience can be both negative and positive.I am going to take all the broken bits, carefully examine them and work with her to see if we can make me whole again. Art has helped me to do this. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:19:39 -0600