Billie Lourd shared an emotional tribute on Instagram as she marked the eighth anniversary of her mother Carrie Fisher’s death. She expressed her complicated feelings about the sombre occasion, describing it as an emotional tropical storm with moments of grief and joy. Lourd quoted Anne Lamott about how grief is like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly. Despite her grief, she feels grateful for the little moments in life and the magic of her children, whom she believes her mother is a piece of.
Since Fisher’s death, Lourd has welcomed son Kingston and daughter Jackson Joanne with partner Austen Rydell. The actress often opens up about her loss, acknowledging the different stages of grief she experiences. In December 2021, she shared that processing grief is never simple and compared it to a multi-course meal with various complicated emotions. Lourd emphasized that grief should be allowed to be whatever it is for each individual, without any expectations or judgments.
Carrie Fisher passed away in December 2016 at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack. Her mother, Debbie Reynolds, also died one day later from a stroke at the age of 84. Lourd has frequently commemorated the anniversaries of her mother’s death with poignant posts, reflecting on how each year brings a different iteration of her grief. Some years make her feel rage, cry all day, feel dissociated, empty, or guilty for feeling nothing, all at once.
Lourd’s grief is a mix of emotions, from bargaining to anger, depression, acceptance, and denial. She believes that grief should be allowed to be all things at once, without any set expectations or guidelines. Lourd’s posts and tributes to her mother reflect her deep love and connection to Fisher, as well as her ongoing journey of processing grief. Each year, she shares her feelings and experiences, inviting others who may also be grieving to feel seen and understood in their journey through loss.
The actress acknowledges the pain and emptiness of losing a loved one like her mother while also recognizing the magic and beauty that exists in her life through her children. Lourd’s ability to find moments of joy and gratitude amidst her grief is a testament to her resilience and strength. She encourages others who are also grieving to embrace their emotions fully and allow themselves to experience the full range of feelings that come with loss.
As Lourd navigates the anniversary of her mother’s death each year, she continues to honor Fisher’s memory and legacy through her words and actions. Her candid reflections on grief and gratitude serve as a reminder that it is okay to feel a mix of emotions, and that there is beauty in finding moments of light even during the darkest times. Lourd’s openness about her journey through grief inspires others to embrace their own feelings and find moments of peace and healing in the midst of loss.
