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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