The term “closure” could mean many different things. When jewelry designers describe necklaces or bracelets, they may mention that closure is a toggle clasp, lobster clasp, button, etc. Clients may also ask for a favored type of clasp on a piece.
The closure I’m thinking of today, however, has another connotation brought to mind by the commissioned piece above that I recently completed. Several months ago, I received an email from a representative of a group of teachers in west Texas who wanted a special piece of jewelry to give to someone as a retirement gift. Luckily, I know that person, having worked for her when I did consulting in gifted education. It helped to be able to remember times I enjoyed with her as I designed this special piece. Closure for this person comes through retirement from a job.
Others I’ve encountered have faced closure with the loss of a special person who has moved on in one way or another. We faced a closure when we had to have our house cat, Blue, that has been in several blog pictures, put to sleep a few weeks ago.
My husband is much better at how to handle closure than I am. He worked for a large manufacturing company for over 30 years and had the unfortunate task of helping close several plants. With these closures, he faced the emotional turmoil experienced by many employees who found it tough to move on. He often recommended the book Transitions (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Transitions) as an aid. We have purchased and given numerous copies of this through the years and I don’t exaggerate by saying I’ve read parts of it at least ten times. While we each take away something different from reading, the message I receive from this book and from my husband’s help is that we must have endings. I would much prefer to ignore an unhappy closure or change and move on quickly, but that’s not necessarily healthy. Facing, acknowledging, and taking the time for endings is important.
With graduations, retirements, job losses, illnesses and economic changes, I’m taking time to realize that closure is just part of life. Feelings about it probably need to be experienced rather than ignored. Just how to do that is a personal issue for each of us to face in our own way.