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Loss and Comfort


Change is inevitable that is what we are told. The past few weeks, we have gone through change in so many things like the way we relate to each other, freedom of movement daytime and curfews  in the night ,we all have learned to keep time, 06:59:59 needs to find you home. Transactions are now cashless, meetings,fellowships and school are now virtual, strange times indeed. I am convinced that with this change , our lives will never be the same again. Diane Heller says that all humans are born with an amazing capacity to survive, heal and thrive. That is great encouragement.

However, the past few weeks, I have wondered what it is like for those families that are grieving. With the government guidelines on funerals like conduct funerals in the shortest time, social distancing, limiting number of people who can attend the funeral ,I wonder how these families are coping with these changes? How does the grieving family chose who makes it to the list of attendance? I can’t imagine the emotions and strife they go through. The grieving must miss the hugs, the songs and presence of family and friends expressing their love and comfort to them. It must be hard.

 I wonder what it is like for family and friends who cannot attend funeral meetings, burials or have to follow the funeral if lucky online. It must be such a difficult season and these are multiple losses. Loss of the loved one and loss of not saying good bye the way one would have wished. Indeed change is inevitable but as Heller says humans are born with amazing capacity to survive tough times.

How can we support these families that are bereaved? Even with the social distancing and the stay at home advice? I think just the way we have been able to create a new normal for work, school and life, we can still reach out, we can send virtual hugs, send text messages, call and check in on our friends because this season is  already challenging , a loss makes things more complicated but this too shall pass. 

I look forward to giving hugs and offering the gift of presence when we are allowed to , as of now, I will keep the social distance but will be available to offer the support.

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