We all know it's inevitable. Most of us put that thought in the 'bottom drawer' and forget about it, or try to. We have our beliefs, most I know are of the Christian faith... and believe in heaven after we pass on. We take comfort in that. We profess faith in that. Yet we keep death quiet, it's as if .. we don't speak of it, we can avoid it for as long as possible.
We don't go out and make little announcement cards for someone who's dying.. like we do for someone who's about to be born. "Helen will be dying soon, we'd sure appreciate it if you'd attend her funeral, the date and time will be announced within the week, 2 tops. A tentative RSVP is appreciated." It's just not done.
The death of a friend's relative is coinciding with the coming death of my aunt Jean this week. His death was a sudden shock to his family, while we've been expecting Jean's for a while now. We were told earlier today to expect it within a few hours. She's still with us but she's in a coma now. Both deaths are sad to us, the sudden one, and the lingering one to come. No matter how someone we love crosses over, it hurts.
No matter our faith. It hurts. Those who go on to leave us behind are going to be missed. There places in our lives are going to be empty. For always. Here. Yes, we'll meet again, and that thought brings comfort. But not right now.
I suppose Elizabeth Kubler Ross was right. We do have to go through the process of grief, all the steps before we can accept and let our loved ones go.
But thank goodness, for those of us with faith. We only have to accept it for a while. Here.
God bless and keep you, Aunt Jean. I love you.
And God Bless you too, George.
We'll all meet (again) one day. I have faith in that.
Posted by juel at May 30, 2005 11:37 PM