When someone dies a lot of the responses are ‘I’m so sorry for your loss’. Sometimes I think what really should be said is ‘I’m so sorry for the deep pain and sadness you are experiencing’.
For people of faith we know we haven’t lost that person, they have just returned home. We know we will see them again. It doesn’t always ease the pain we feel by their passing, or fill the void left in our hearts, but we do know we will meet again.
I suppose we say ‘sorry for your loss’ because we know they feel like a piece of themselves is missing and cannot be found, but still for me I have not lost. I have been blessed and lucky to have loved. I know that all those I love who go before me will be reunited with me when it is my turn to journey home.
Perhaps it is easier than saying ‘I’m sorry for all the heartache and pain you are experiencing’. My thoughts and prayers always go to those who have had a special person whom they love journey home. I understand the sadness and sometimes because of a friendship, or close ties, I also feel the pain and am sad.
Even when someone has suffered, and we are glad they no longer struggle or are in pain, we still feel sad. We are happy they are free of their pain but sad for ourselves because we know we will not see them again for, well, for however long it is until we ourselves return home.
I would rather be sad and feel the pain of missing someone than not to have loved them in the first place. When I think of it this way, I can truly count my blessings for having known the person for whom my heart cries.
So, while we mourn, what we mourn is a love no longer here, not a love lost, for love awaits us beyond this world and looks down on us always. Yes, I will miss them always, but still, it is with great sadness not loss.