Recently, many of my friends have experienced the loss of a close loved one.  Parents, spouses, and even very young souls.  I find myself with no words of comfort to give.  The grief and the anger are intense.  I know, I lost my mom and brother.

“Confronting our feelings and giving them appropriate expression always take strength, not weakness.  It takes strength to acknowledge our anger, and sometimes more strength yet to curb the aggressive urges anger may bring and to channel them into nonviolent outlets.  It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and anger flow into tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about our feelings and reach out for help and comfort when we need it.'”                                   – Fred Rogers                

For all who are grieving, express it.  If you are overwhelmed and need help, ask for it.  God is with you.

I read the following poem, by Henry Scott Holland, at my father-in-law’s funeral.  I find so much comfort in it.  It presents death as I believe it is – a transition but not an ending.

Death Is Nothing At All

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one together with our Creator.

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash