If You Don't Grieve Your Loved One Now, You Will Wish You Had

No one likes to grieve, but it’s important.

I will never forget that dreadful phone call. Daddy had been sick, but he had improved. The nursing staff moved him to a nursing home for recovery. I knew his health was fragile, but I assumed I had more time.

The nurse on the phone said, “Your father is worse. Do you want to see him?”

“Yes.” Of course. What else could I say?

I assumed I might not see him again, and so my husband drove as fast as he could, but traffic was heavy that Sunday night. When I reached his floor, I saw his room mate at the front desk, and that alarmed Nurses don’t move people there for no reason. I rushed to Dad’s room and pulled aside the curtain around his bed. When I looked into his face, his blue eyes stared at nothing. He was dead.

I felt a huge empty spot in my soul. This was my last parent. It was as if I lost Mom all over again because they were both gone now. I was an orphan. Furthermore, I had lost a lot over the past four years. It wasn’t long before I descended into depression as a grieved the many things I lost.

I knew he was with the Lord, that was not the problem. I had so many things to greive, and grieving takes time.

I’ll never forget that year at Christmas. Some lady told me I would be okay once all my children arrived from school. Somehow that wasn’t much comfort.

Americans do not grieve well.

The Bible says “for us not to grieve like the others around us that have no hope.” It doesn’t mean we won’t grieve.

My guest is Gail Porter who is going to share some thoughts about grieving.

Find Gail here.