Memories of our own

                        Memories of our own

       Grieving for our lost loved ones is a powerful yet natural process, that envelops us like an emotional tidal wave. Psychologists list the five steps of the grieving process as  denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.

         I thought of all these emotional hurdles the other day, as I read a friend’s touching tribute to a fallen son. There can be no more traumatic experience than that of losing a child. It is painful, gut wrenching and just plain awful. Still, we weather it, as we do all calamities, and go on with life.

        Next of course is losing one’s spouse. The departure of a life’s mate is soul searing. Its crippling effects can last for years. Still, we manage to get through these experiences, with the support of caring families and friends.

        Those of us “of a certain age” have watched the passing of grandparents, parents and a coterie of relatives and friends and family. It is nature’s way. We too shall pass and hopefully be remembered by loving family and kind hearted friends.

        We become philosophical in our losses. We know intellectually that everyone we know will that way go eventually. Still, we regret each loss, wishing that the loved one’s departure had taken a little longer and their earthly stay with us extended.

           One of my younger sisters had just passed two weeks before. Thoughts of her smile and the happiness that she had brought to us are in the forefront of my mind. She had had a difficult time in life and was now blessedly at rest. My extended family is thankful for that. She is now at peace and we can take comfort in that.

          Marie’s departure also made me think fondly of all the many friends and family that we have, scattered across hither and yon. Their wonderful friendship, their joy of life, and the happiness that they extend to us is even more appreciated now. For we know that they too shall leave us all at some point.

          Be kind to those that love you. Smile with them and appre ciate them for who and what they are and mean to us. For they will be with us but momentarily if our life’s journey.

                                            -30-

                                      (375 words)

                                Joseph Xavier Martin