It is that season of the year when people remember their loved ones who have passed away. My mom and dad died several years ago. Yet, I still miss both of them.
Each of us will experience the reality of loss. Perhaps, you already did. And what you remember was that it was painful. And as your life moves on, days roll into nights; You begin to realize that you never really stop missing that precious loved one who’s gone. You just learn to live around the empty space inside you because of their absence.
When we lose someone we cannot imagine without, our heart breaks and aches, and the sad news is we never completely get over the loss. Because of the love we have for them, we will never forget them.
However, in a strange kind of way, there is good news. They will live on in the warmth of our broken hearts that may not fully heal. We will continue to grow and experience life, even with our wounds.
An analogy that may describe this is like terribly breaking an ankle that never heals fully. After some time, you still feel some kind of pain. It hurts you when you walk. It hurts you when you dance. Yet, you walk and dance anyway, perhaps with a slight limp. This limp just adds depth to your life because you believe that life is more than just pain and suffering. Yes, there is hope. There is joy even when we limp while dancing.
The people we lost will remain a part of us. We will remember them and always cherish the good moments spent with them. And most importantly we look forward to the time when there will be no more pain and tears. “…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4 NASB)