[caption id="attachment_1962" align="alignright" width="200"] Blog by Sr. Barbara Kane, OP[/caption] It's the beginning of June…a time when flowers are in full bloom, birds are chattering every morning and evening and the sun stays up late into the evening. It's a season of life, sunshine, and joy. But recently, I realized that it's also a season of dying. Think about the many endings that occur at the end of May and beginning of June:

• Graduations - leaving one beloved institution for the unknown.
• Retirements - ending one stage of one’s life for another.
• Moving - saying goodbye to wonderful neighbors and hello to more.
• Transitions - leaving a job or ministry for whatever reason to find another.
• End of a school year - leaving a well-known teacher for new one.

Each one of these is a little death. Although not as serious as the loss of a loved one, they still require a period of grieving. Just recognizing that we are dying to an old way of life or living, can help us to move through the grieving process and into a new birth. Jesus reminds us "unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." (John 12:24) Our leavings and transitions are little deaths that can result in new life and hopefully, much fruit. This blog isn't a comprehensive treatise about working through the grieving process but there are some things that can help even the simple deaths that occur:

• Allow yourself to be sad about the situation.
• Express your feelings in a creative way.
• Take care of yourself.
• Recognize that grief may come and go.
• Look for the growth/joy that may come with the new situation.
• Thank God for the new opportunity.

One of our most eloquent learners at the Dominican Learning Center, Rhonda, put it this way: "As we end another year, we move into new beginnings. We let go of all the things of the past year. We start a new year, new ideas, dreams, desires, and prayer to rebuild our lives. We start fresh. We get a chance to be reborn again. Each time we get to see another year, we are moving toward rebirth. It is a wonderful experience. We will face new challenges, but we will also add a new chapter to our life. I let go and let God create in and through me to bring forth something new." AMEN!