Over the years I have watched my students cope with the pain of losing close family members. I pray for the family and the teen. Someone once told me that losing a loved one is like having a body part amputated. The person is still alive, functioning, and has to go on but he/she has lost a part that can never be replaced. The person will never be the same, he/she will be changed for a lifetime. I am no expert on loss but I believe a few things that are truly important at this time are being surrounded by loved ones and faith, that there is hope that the pain will stop and tomorrow will come. I can’t begin to imagine loss like this all I can do is attempt to comfort and to pray. Pray that the survivor can feel and witness the love of God through others who are supportive. Pray that he/she will come to know that the loved one is no longer suffering but in the arms of God in peace forever. So, that is what I will continue you to do. I will pray and try to love each person through their loss.
If you have any suggestions as a survivor that can help please leave a comment. Thanks.
I don’t believe the person who dies ever leaves us, they are in another room in the mansion…they are perfectly happy…and we are still connected to them in the Communion of Saints. I don’t believe anyone is ever DEAD to us until there is no one left to remember them, tell stories and memories of them. My Dad died 17 years ago and if I COULD bring him back of one day there is nothering I need to say to him, or ask forgiveness for, no regrets…and that is a blessing that comes with age…