Last night I met with a family. I didn’t really know them. They had come to a grief and loss session held by our local ministerial. I was to be the presenter.
Their circumstances sounded familiar. Cancer at the half century mark. A child dies before the parents. Siblings are left behind. Months later grieving is still present. The deceased left a mark with her life, and with her death.
My brother passed away from cancer at 50 years of age. He was an athlete — as was this "young" lady. He had seen the world — so had she. Health food was second nature — both ate well. The similarities were multiple.
I sat there stunned. I hadn’t expected this!
The family was looking for advice. All of a sudden, what could easily have been just straight forward lecture became the nitty grittly of life. Yes, we did discuss the process of healing. Yes, there were direct theological answers given. But somehow the story was what captured us.
We weep with those who weep.
If a friend is one who shares life with you — I have new friends today!