Good morning…
“Look at the little monument God inspired me to tuck amid the ferns you taught me to grow outside our wooden gate,” I texted my friend who will lay to rest her forty-three year old son today. “This little resting angel is a symbol of him living on with God, just beyond the open window of our conscious awareness. You, my dear, are in my prayers.”
“And here is your spirit blooming on the other side of the pathway leading to the space where we meet with our Monday class,” I continued. “Do you want me to tell our classmates about your loss since everyone will be wondering where you are? I would love to be with you as you process this great grief with God,” I offered. “You let me know when you would like to sit together after you get through the service on Thursday.”
“Yes, you can tell the group,” she replied. “We are there to support each other. I will need some time with you to process all of this after the service. Thank you for the images and being there for me…thank you. I love you.”
“I love you too,” God’s Spirit breathed life through our cell phones.
During class on Monday, we shared the tragic news and talked about our own sacred strolls down the pathway of grief. We all signed a card, sharing our love with our compassionate classmate. Crafting kind words in our own unique handwriting was tenderly “ours to do.”
Now awake in the quiet of this long dark night, I enjoy reading the obituary which honors a young man I never met personally. I like seeing his picture, reading about his simple life. I envision him soaking in the peaceful presence of our Heavenly Father. As for his earthly mother, I am so grateful to God that we will continue to walk down the growing garden pathway of grief together.
…Sue…
P.S. For those living in Atlanta, I invite each of you to join me for our Women’s Lenten Lunch and Learn series, as we collaboratively discuss Paula D’Arcy’s Winter of the Heart: Finding Your Way Through the Mystery of Grief. Emerging from the influence of this global pandemic, what have we lost and what have we gained? For four out of five Wednesdays in March, 11:30 to 1:00 pm, we will gather over lunch in the Faith and Arts Center at Northside Church as we walk beside Jesus, a man of sorrows, who was well acquainted with grief.
To explore the class details and to register for this Lenten series, please touch on this link: https://northsideyouth.wufoo.com/forms/x92toxs1edthlz/
