Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.But no, that is not quite accurate. There is one place where her absence comes locally home to me, and it is a place I can't avoid. I mean my own body. It had such a different importance while it was the body of H.'s lover. Now it's like an empty house.
C.S. Lewis reflects on the profound impact of loss in "A Grief Observed," comparing the absence of his loved one to the vastness of the sky, a presence felt everywhere yet difficult to grasp. He captures the essence of grief by pointing out that while her absence permeates all aspects of life, it is most acutely felt within himself, making his own body feel foreign and empty. Once filled with affection and connection, it now serves as a reminder of what has been lost.
Through this metaphor, Lewis conveys the struggle of navigating life after such a deep emotional bond has been severed. The transformation of his body from a vessel of intimacy to an empty house symbolizes the disconnection he experiences in the wake of his grief. It underscores the painful reality of how loss can alter one's perception of self and the world around them.
