Sadly, we received some terrible news on Saturday evening. A young lady we knew from church passed away suddenly, leaving behind a husband and two small boys, one two years old and one just three weeks old.
It was quite a shock and it is impossible for me to adequately explain how filled with sorrow we are. My heart breaks for her family and it is dredging up sad memories of a Thanksgiving a few years ago in which a close friend of mine died suddenly. So I would like to say something that I wish someone had said to me then.
Wear your grief like armor, as a tribute to how amazing the person you lost was. Let it protect you as you start to heal, and never be ashamed or embarrassed by it. Don't pretend that everything is okay, because it isn't. Surround yourself with people who feel the same way and find comfort in their company. And never once think that you "should be over it by now" because you'll never get over it - you just learn to live with it.
A fundraiser has been started to support Molly's family, to help pay medical bills and funeral costs and care for her boys. It can be found here: Gifts of Love in Molly's Memory.
Prayers for the family left behind, and for you. A very poignant post.
ReplyDeleteyour words, the advice to wear your grief like armor, is so very important. It should be written in a book of quotes, on a card to be sent, in some way shared with millions. We are all touched by grief, and the way you said it was important for lots of people to read. If I had a quotes page I would include it.
ReplyDeleteIn fact I might like to illustrate it sometime.
LeeAnna at not afraid of color