The Shadow of Death

Thought of the Day, Oct. 7, 2022

I will learn to live in the sunshine of your life, instead of the dark shadow of your death.  ~ Unknown

I cannot even fathom the despair some people have to wade through when they lose someone close to them, especially a child.  I will not begin to tell anyone I know how you feel.

I have had both of my parents and a brother die.  I still would not tell you that I know how you feel, even if you had the same experience in your life.  I would not know and cannot know how YOU feel.

That said, however, there is one thing I know from my experience working with people through grief.  The ones that can get past the shadow of the person’s death seem to find meaning in their life.  Meaning to preserve the legacy and/or the memory.  They seem to be able to wade the stormy waters easier than those who continue to live in the dark shadow of death.

What I would say to those that are still struggling is this: Are there people around you that still need 100% of you?  Or at least a high percentage of you?  Do you want them to learn from you that living in the shadow is the norm?  Would the person that is gone want you to live in this shadow?  Or would they want you to live your life a better person so that you can carry their memory with the gusto it deserves?

If you are struggling with the grief process, Smile Again Ministries is here to help families and individuals navigate through the painful journey of grieving the loss of a child.