Loss

The pain of goodbye

Loss is something we have all experienced in some way, or will at some point. For some of us, a loss or losses was part of the trigger for our eds. It could have been in the form of a divorce or abandonment or death. Whatever the loss was, saying goodbye hurts. Especially when it's sudden. In February, two close friends of mine (I'll call them Jesse and Kelly) experienced great loss: the unexpected death of a loved one. My heart was and is very heavy for them. I want to make them feel better and take away the hurt. But I can't. I want to rewind time so that those things leading up to the tragic departures never happened. But time machines don't exist. As much as God has blessed me to weave words together, I have nothing I can really say to provide comfort. Not lasting comfort. But... there are Words which have always provided me with the balm I needed in times of deep anguish. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those who are crushed in spirit." ** This is absolutely one of my favorite scriptures and in the midst of some of my darkest, sunless times, has brought life saving help. I don't know if I can explain how it worked for me but I'll try... These words were like a cooling agent to a raw wound. The wound was still there as deep as it was but the mere knowledge that God, Jehovah, the God of all creation was with me in that moment or moments, was comforting. And it kept me going just a little longer.

To my friends who have lost loved ones, I care about and love the two of you so much but I know that my words are not enough to stretch over the hurt you are trying to endure. I know this is a trying time and exhausting and I will not pretend that tomorrow will be 100% back to normal. It won't be. It may be harder. But if there is any comfort or peace to be found, seek it in the Words of the God Who cares. Keep in mind that these words are not a promise to "pain proof" life. They are a promise to be there even when life proves too painful.

Jesse, you are a great writer and I know that God will use the shattered pieces of what this event has brought about and make a beautiful mosaic that allows Him to shine through every shard.
And Kelly, I am here for you and we will get through this together. Remember, your skin is there to protect you and cover you. Be kind to it as much as you're able. Just do the next right thing, whatever it is.
The both of you are incredibly strong and will overcome this.

Let yourselves cry. And cry again.

**Psalm 34:18