Lost in the Depths of Deep Purple: Embracing the Silence of Loss…
There’s something profound about the color deep purple—a color that, in many ways, embodies the quiet ache of sorrow. It is neither the dark finality of black nor the light hope of pastel shades. It lingers somewhere in between, deep, mysterious, and vast like the twilight sky before it dissolves into night. In that space, deep purple reflects the complexities of loss, where grief doesn’t demand attention but rather sinks into the background, accompanying us in quiet moments when the world has gone still.
Grief is often thought of as loud—sharp cries, the noise of emotions overwhelming our senses. However, many who have walked the path of loss know that its most enduring companion is silence. It’s in this silence that grief feels most profound, and like the color deep purple, it is neither fully present nor absent. It wraps itself around us like a heavy, invisible cloak.
Much like how twilight casts the world in shadowy hues of purple and blue, grief casts life in shades that feel both familiar and alien. The world continues to move around us, unchanged, but our perception of it shifts. The people we once knew, the places we once loved, become part of a different reality, marked by absence. Just like twilight, grief doesn’t erase the beauty around us, but it paints everything in a muted, melancholic light.
Loss has a way of hollowing out sound. What was once filled with the chatter of life becomes an empty space, and the absence of what used to be fills the air. Conversations grow shorter. Rooms that once echoed with laughter now hum with a quiet so dense that it almost feels physical. The stillness, far from being peaceful, is a constant reminder of what has been lost.
But there is something strangely comforting about this silence. It’s not the overwhelming roar of immediate grief but a quieter, deeper sorrow. In these moments, when the world is quiet and still, we can hear ourselves think. We can reflect on what we’ve lost, who we’ve lost, and how we’ve changed in the process.
Deep purple, too, is a color that invites contemplation. It’s not the violent red of anger or the bleak black of despair, but rather something softer, more introspective. It’s a color that sits with you, allowing you to process your pain in your own time. Like grief, it doesn’t demand a reaction—it simply is.
Memories of those we’ve lost often feel like twilight—dimly lit, almost surreal, existing in a world that’s just out of reach. In those moments, where the light begins to fade into deep purple, our minds naturally drift towards reflection. We replay conversations, try to remember the sound of their laughter, or the way they looked when they were deep in thought.
As the memories come and go, they seem to take on a life of their own. They morph and shift, becoming both clearer and more distant over time. Some days, they feel sharp, like we could reach out and touch them. Other days, they feel like whispers, just on the edge of fading completely. It’s this constant ebb and flow of memory that keeps us connected to those we’ve lost, even as time pulls us further from them.
In the same way that twilight is fleeting, memories can often feel elusive. They slip through our fingers when we try to hold on too tightly. But, like the purples of dusk, they can also surprise us. Sometimes, in the quiet moments when we least expect it, a memory will wash over us with a vividness that takes our breath away.
There is something to be said for sitting in the depth of one’s sadness. It’s not about wallowing or giving in to despair, but about recognizing the weight of the loss and allowing yourself to feel it fully. In a world that pushes us to move on, to “get over it,” there is quiet power in choosing to sit with our grief. This is where deep purple, the color that straddles the line between day and night, life and death, becomes a fitting metaphor.
In ancient times, purple was the color of royalty, mystery, and the unknown. It wasn’t a color you could easily find in nature, and because of that, it represented something rare, something valuable. In the same way, grief is a rare and valuable emotion. It reminds us of what we had, what we’ve lost, and what we still hold onto. Embracing the silence of loss isn’t about giving up hope or dwelling in sadness forever. It’s about recognizing that the sadness, much like deep purple, is a part of life—a color that adds richness to the human experience.
As the twilight of loss stretches out, we find ourselves moving through the deep purple haze of grief. At first, it feels as though we will never come out the other side, but gradually, the darkness begins to lift. Just as night gives way to dawn, so too does grief eventually make room for something lighter. But, even when the brighter colors return to our lives, deep purple remains in the background, a reminder of where we’ve been.
In the end, we don’t leave the depths of deep purple behind. Instead, we carry it with us, tucked into the corners of our heart, always there but no longer overwhelming. It becomes a quiet companion, one that reminds us of the beauty of life, even in its darkest moments. And as we move forward, embracing the silence of loss, we learn that deep purple isn’t just the color of sorrow—it’s also the color of resilience, reflection, and, eventually, peace.
