There is great humility in this season. This season of grief and pain when others who care about me in varying degrees are asking of me, pursuing me, considering my feelings. I'm so very appreciative of this, the fact that these people even care to ask, because the alternative is worse: ignoring the obvious recent devastating loss of such an important figure in my life. But, I'm finding that these interactions with others who do brave the unknown of my tumultuous emotions are tricky, at best, as people are kind enough to not ignore, yet uncomfortable enough that they cannot fully listen, either.
I usually hear something along these lines, quite clean and silver they are: "well, we can at least be thankful she isn't suffering any longer." Or, "You can find comfort in the promise that you will see her again." Or, "You have to just remember the good memories, and reflect on those when you are feeling sad." Oh, and my favorite so far, "It's okay to to take a moment to cry, as long as you are alone and away from the kids."
