My cousin Bob was just age 40 and he suddenly passed away and it really sucks. He was in the hospital a week ago and left after a few days. We discussed many things about health.
He was home and still struggling off and on with ability to eat certain things and had very low energy, based on our conversations via text
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most challenging experiences. The rawness of grief can feel overwhelming, wrapping around us like a very heavy weighted wet blanket that we can’t shake off, we try to move on but that weight can often stay with us for a long time if we don’t learn to work through it.
We grieve not only because we won’t see them again but also for the precious memories we shared. Each moment, each laugh, and even the tears now hold a bittersweet weight.
In our sorrow, it’s essential to remember that our loved ones are often called home for reasons beyond our understanding. Whether their passing resulted from illness, an accident, or simply the natural progression of life, they have been welcomed into the arms of Jesus. While our hearts ache, let’s take solace in the rejoicing that is undoubtedly happening in heaven right now.
Imagine—his mother my cousin Ginger joyously celebrating his arrival, his grandparents, his great grandparents, embracing him with open arms, and those aunts, uncles, and cousins who’ve gone before him all gathered together with love and laughter. They aren’t suffering; they are whole again, free from pain, waiting for the moment when we’ll join them in eternal peace.
I think often of my own parents and the day I will see them again. This hope brings me comfort amid the pain. It reminds me that while we are left behind to navigate our grief, we can carry their memory forward in our hearts.
It’s crucial to understand that our own, illness, grief, and loss are not punishments or faults of God. Life is a journey where death is part of the cycle. From the moment we are born, our days are numbered, and we never know when our time may come. Sometimes life’s clock strikes earlier for some, whether they are young or old, leaving us with an ache no words can soothe.
In this difficult time, what we must focus on is how we choose to live while we are still here.
Those of us remaining have a responsibility to honor our departed loved ones through our actions. We need to carry out their wishes as best as we can. Because that’s the last thing we will get to do for them. But we also need to strive to be better people period…. Stop bickering, stop gossiping, it’s one thing to talk to other’s about situations but to purposefully cut others down because you have an ax to grind is wrong, as is holding a grudge.
We can and must strive to be kinder to one another, more patient, and more loving. We should also open ourselves to receive help if we need it, understanding that vulnerability is not a weakness but part of being human.
We cannot allow grief to engulf us completely. Our loved ones wouldn’t want that for us. They would want us to cry for a moment but dry our tears and remember the joy, laughter, and beautiful moments we shared.
So, as we remember our loved ones that have now passed we must continue navigating our lives, let’s commit to doing something kind for someone else. Whether it’s for a stranger or a family member, let’s make a conscious effort to be better human beings.
Im going to reflect on the joy we experienced with Bobby—the laughter, the shared stories, and the love. He is now resting in the presence of our Heavenly Father, reunited with those he cherished most. Though we may feel the sting of loss, we can find comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering. Instead, he is smiling down at us, encouraging us to embrace life to its fullest until it’s our turn to go home.
And when that glorious day comes, just imagine the warm welcome we will receive as we step through those heavenly gates, greeted by Bobby and all our loved ones who have crossed before us. Until then, let us live in honor of their memories and cherish every moment we have with those still beside us.
Joyful-Echoes 