On July 4. 1776, fifty-six men from thirteen colonies signed a document proclaiming independence from “absolute Tyranny over these states”. In this Declaration of Independence, these 56 representatives declared us to be the “united States of America”. With the stroke of a pen, we declared ourselves independent and formed a new country.

Today is the day to declare another Independence Day.

Back in March, I asked this question: “If you’ve decided to do something that ended up painful, and you could go back in time and make that decision again, would you do it again?” I asked you to share your stories and what you have learned about loss, pain, resilience, and triumph.

Here’s what I learned from you.

On June 3^rd, Sheryl Sandberg posted an update on her Facebook page about grieving the sudden loss of her husband, Dave Goldberg. She had just completed sheloshim for her husband, which is a 30-day time of religious mourning for your loved one. This post is filled with raw emotion, and also some perspective, as Sheryl reflects on those who have taken this 30-day journey with her. Loved ones and strangers sharing their stories and comfort. In her post, Sheryl says this:

I am sharing what I have learned in the hope that it helps someone else. In the hope that there can be some meaning from this tragedy.

There is profound wisdom in Sheryl’s post. Wisdom that comes from one of the most difficult experiences one can ever go through. Wisdom we can use when we or someone we love experiences a significant loss.

Spring is out in earnest.  The early blooms have faded, and the New England countryside is a riot of color.  Flowering crabapples in white, pink, and red.   Puffy cherry blossoms, a dogwood fairyland on one of my favorite roads, and bright magenta flox.

And poison ivy.