“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.”
~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
A teary phone call with news of the sudden death of our daughter’s dear friend. We go to prayer. For the man’s wife, his parents and children, and for our daughter and granddaughter who have just experienced something horrific culminating with the loss of someone who has been a significant figure and huge support in their lives these past couple of years.
The phone call, just before bed, stays on my mind. I toss and turn, sleep elusive, as my mind races and I offer up short prayers. Death so cruel, made crueller by the season. This, the third one that has hit close to home in recent weeks, this one closest of all.
My faith means I look at death as a passing from this life to eternity; it means I look at it through a filter of hope and promise; but still there is no escaping the grief that comes when a loved one dies.
None of us are promised tomorrow. We know this intellectually but something like this reminds us of how fleeting our days are. We are reminded that we are building our legacy as we walk through the ordinary days of our lives. The choices we make today determine our destiny and the legacy we will one day leave behind.
Today, I simply want to pay honour to a man I didn’t know well but who helped my daughter escape from an abusive marriage and supported her as she worked to find the strength to carry on. This, perhaps a small part of the entire legacy he leaves behind, but a life-altering part for my daughter and granddaughter. Thank you, Steve.
Oh Linda. So heart breaking. I hope your daughter and granddaughter can have the strength in the memories and the fond thoughts of such a dear friend. Such sadness is in their world right now. I pray they will get through it together.
Thank you, Celine. Prayers are always appreciated.