One to the daughter of a lovely woman who sat at the table with our mother at Westminster Woods at Julington Creek. My sister, Cindy, and I have enjoyed watching the tender love and care she gave a baby doll. We will miss her sweet smile.
One to the wife of a man who has been undergoing pain and suffering for many years. She will miss him, even though she is surely grateful that he is no longer in pain.
One to the parents-in-law of a young husband and father whose little girl will soon be a year old. This death seems to us quite senseless.
No matter the reason, death is a difficult pill to swallow. Each of the people who receive my card is experiencing great grief.
My words of comfort probably seem trite. "I feel your pain" I might say. I think I can say that because I've known a little about personal grief.
In 1973 a very unexpected pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I remember the shock I experienced when I read that someone had requested prayer for me - because my baby had died. The pregnancy was not planned - however, I still think of that little boy and wonder what he would have been like.
In 1998 just a few months into our marriage, Rich Suhey did not survive a heart attack. Those were the doctor's words - "he did not survive".
I've lost grandparents, my daddy, and a great-niece. Recently I lost a dear aunt.
I've walked through the death of someone close with many friends and loved ones.
In a few words, "I've had my share of grief".
Timing is everything and this week I have been reading Traveling Light by Max Lucado. He has used the 23rd Psalm as his platform and written some very helpful words. At least very helpful to me.
In the book, Lucado tells about a young couple in Brazil who were so excited to be expecting their first child. When that baby died "In utero" the young mother's had these words: "It's more than that a baby died. A dream died".
When Rich died, I said again and again that I was not angry with God - just disappointed. Finally, I realized that disappointment is a form of anger. I didn't get what I wanted - a lifetime of sharing joys and happiness as well as the difficulties that life brings. I lost my partner. My dream died. That was 21 years ago, even now sometimes . . .
However, the faith that has been instilled in me from my childhood has stayed strong in my heart. I believe that God is good. We don't understand His actions - we can, however, "TRUST HIS HEART" I believe He allows only what is good for me in my life. I also believe He wants me to take my grief and let the love I feel for others show.
So I have addressed three Sympathy cards...I cannot really feel their pain. I can, however, be truly "sorry for their loss".
PS Traveling Light by Max Lucado is a great read - no matter where you are in life!
May your life be filled with enough Sunshine
to make you appreciate the Shadow
