The Weight of Grief

The summer season hasn't been a particularly fun one so far. We've had 3 loved ones pass away in the span of about 4 weeks. One was my grandmother who at 88 years had lived a long, fulfilling life. With multiple health problems we knew her time here was going to coming to a close, but even with that knowledge, there is a finality to death that still feels too sudden. However there is a peace with her passing, knowing that she is no longer in pain. Attending her funeral felt like a family reunion of sorts, being able to visit with many family members who I haven't seen in months or years. To see her and my grandpa surrounded by so much love helped lessen the weight of my grief.

The other two were little ones taken from life here way too soon. One, a 3 year old little boy, passed after a tragic drowning accident. The other passed after a traumatic birth. There has been a lot of sorrow and grieving about the "what ifs" surrounding their deaths.

Logically, I understand that we all have our time here in this life. Most of us get to be here for a span of years and reach life milestones. Some though are taken so quickly that it leaves me wondering why? Why did their time here on earth get cut so short? Life continues on for the rest of the world but for those grieving time stops and the adjustment to this "new normal" without the loved one here is so difficult. I've had the image in my mind of my grandmother up in heaven holding those two little boys in her lap and giving them all the love. This image too brings me some comfort.

I have thought of my grandpa often these past couple of weeks. My grandparents were married for 70 years. It's hard to even fathom how long of a marriage that is, especially in this day and age when so many marriages barely make it past a decade. Their dedication and commitment to each other is so inspiring.

If there is any kind of takeaway from this blog it's that I want you to go and give your family members and loved ones a big hug today, and have gratitude that you have them and your health and this day.

 Ecclesiastes 3 1-8: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.