When we pause to celebrate, we find the joy.
There are always moments that will be forever imprinted on our memories. Yesterday was one of those days. While running errands with my husband, I received a call from a dear friend whose son had taken his life. My heart aches, and I long to be near her, to mingle my tears with hers and to hold her in my arms.
I'm ashamed to say that on my table is a sympathy card that I've moved around for several weeks. I recently learned on Facebook that a friend from college lost her son. Each day I promise myself that I'll send that card, that I'll try to write words of comfort to a mother whose arms and heart are empty, and each day I've failed. So today I reach out to both friends with the words of this post, and promise to mail those cards today.
On the morning of 9/11, I walked with a friend who had yet to hear from a daughter who lived in NYC. The daughter worked as a temp, and so my friend had no way of knowing where her daughter was that morning. We talked with heavy hearts of the loss of so many lives. She mentioned that when we feel such sadness that we are helping, as Christians, to bear one another's burdens.
I opened Writer's Almanac this morning to "The Cows at Night" by Hayden Carruth. I borrow lines from his poem this morning:
" ...for how
in that great darkness could I explain
anything, anything at all."
And while my words cannot explain anything, He who bore all the sorrows of our world promises:
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not: for I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:10,13)
I pray for my friends to feel His love, to know that He who experienced all sorrow walks beside them through this dark time and holds their hands.
And so through my tears and sadness, I celebrate the Savior of the world who overcame death, walks with us through our dark times, and promises His help and everlasting love.
So hard to find our own words in such tragedy. This shows the power of literature and faith that sustains us. Sending prayers to you and your friends.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear of both your friends' losses, Ramona. It is indeed hard to find the words to comfort, yet know this, any words will be a help. When my husband died, even a card with a name meant something to me. You wrote this so beautifully, perhaps some of these words can be sent to your friends? Hugs to you too, hard news to hear anytime.
ReplyDeleteSo hard to find words for this kind of sadness. Holding your friends in the light.
ReplyDeleteRamona, loss is such a difficult step on the journey of life. 9/11 is etched forever in my memory. My town was one of the hardest hit on Long Island. we lost 30+ souls. The exhibit at the state museum has a magnificent exhibit and the new site is a huge tribute. The end of your post is such a fitting one for me to read before the start of Easter tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your words. The world is so full of heartache.
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