And the two shall become one. So, when our spouse passes on, we are not simply ripped in two, for we have been integrated to which we can no longer say this is her or this is him. As the song One hand one heart so beautifully illustrates marriage: Make of our lives one life, Day after day, one life, now it begins, now we start: One hand, one heart. Even death won’t part us now.
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume we carry our sorrow even unto death. We do not heal from the loss of our loved one, rather we learn to live with the pain much like a chronic pain, a constant backache or tinnitus.
Time allows the pain to become familiar rather than healing it. We learn over time to continue in life despite our sorrows and through our sorrows, pains, and sufferings we are strengthened and gain a deeper understanding, wisdom, fortitude, and focus. “No pain no gain” is not just a slogan used at the gym, but it is necessary for the interior growth of a Christian.
The first step is always the hardest step, and that is true of each and every day, perhaps even from hour to hour. Life is difficult enough, but grief can be debilitating. The size of the step is not important. If nothing in this world can motivate you, do it for the love you lost, do it for the love you have (God), do it because the Evil one wants nothing better than for you to fall under his power.
As for me each day I cry, sometimes many times in a given day, but usually not for long, for a deeper knowledge reminds me that I believe in the Holy Spirit, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. But my faith does not prevent me from feeling intense sorrow. And I find the braver the face I portray in public the more agonizing my weeping in my solitude. But I am intent on doing God’s will, which mean my earthly journey is not yet over.
The deafening silence and solitude allows for contemplation and discernment of what lies ahead. We have been reminded that life is temporary and can be over at any moment. Such awareness can cause some of us to work on a bucket list or set our lives in order focusing on eternity. If we wait in hope, rediscovering joy, and trusting life to unfold within its time we will discover our loved one remains a part of us and our purpose in life has not changed. We are and have always been called to love one another.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Fatima USA an outdoor mass on the Maria Stein Spiritual Center premises. Fr. Steve Mondiek will celebrate the mass, a rosary will follow and a candlelight procession through the woods. Join in praying for our country and world.
Also Friday, Friday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. ReFlektion (the last of the Towne & Country Players summer series) plays at Heritage Park and at 8 p.m. the Vet’s Club has an 80s Dance Explosion in the Bunker.
Saturday, Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. – noon the Produce Stand to Benefit the Poor will be open. The stand is located on the corner of State Route 705 and U.S. Route 127
Sunday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. an Ice Cream Social at the Museum. Entertainment by Elaine and Ron Marshall.
Monday, Aug. 16 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. is a Memory Lane Dance held at the Greenville VFW. Open to the public $5 admission at the door.
Tuesday, Aug. 24 beginning at 10 p.m. Versailles will be fogging the town.
Happy birthday wishes to Therese Pohlman, Todd Richhart, Rebecca Scott, Don Short, Victor Bey, Bob Paulus, Pete Magoto (90), Karen Herndon, Ami Anthony, Ron Marshall, Mary Jo Frey, Dan Richhart, Gary Poling, Barb Siegel, Cheryl Huelskamp, Mark Hilgefort, Cheryl Magoto, Ann-Marie Subler Kurtz, Cindy Miller, Jody Johnston, Barb Berger, Rick DeMange, Kelly Francis, Ted Finnard, Tom Klopfenstein and those which I am unaware.
Happy anniversary wishes to Katina and Jason Overholser (4), Shellie and Tony Lewis (5), Loretta and Tom Donnelly (7), Lori and Rob York (9), Monica and Curt Goubeaux (11), Diane and Mike Magoteaux (24), Ginny and Jack Meinerding (56), and all those couples celebrating anniversaries but not named.
Please extend your heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Donna Black (67), Alice Niekamp (78), and all those who have passed and those who are in our hearts but not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their passing nears. Everyone is dealing with something. Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the sick, terminally ill, caregivers, all those who have lost loved ones, the struggling, lonely, and addicted.
As an act of kindness, offer your assistance to someone. It does not matter how skilled you are sometimes a job is easier to tackle when there is another person willing to pitch in. Besides making the task go quicker you might be able to offer a simpler approach to a pending project. Both of you will be left with a good feeling of accomplishment.
