A Broad Look At Grief and Loss

Hi Everyone! I apologize for not writing regularly (like I used to on At Peace).

I need to share that after all the writing on the topic listed in this blog, I was tired and thought I had done what I needed to do: I felt finished. Then, while reading a book I felt not only to write more often but write the blog that will reach everyone. So here it goes:

I am in the midst of re-reading a wonderful book titled, Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep. I read the book during the pandemic and remembered it being good. But as I read it again, I see it in an entirely new way.

Tish Harrison Warren is a priest who served various locales in the Anglican Church. At the completion of this book she was the Writer in Residence at the Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh.  The book comes  from the author’s faith, but from my view she writes it in a way that anyone of other faith traditions or no faith traditions could connect with. I’d like to start with her perspective about those who weep or should weep.

Few people might say it today but grief is everywhere. We have had devastating wild fires, massive river floods, horrible school shootings and airplane crashes. Political fights, and illnesses are everywhere. I would say the nature of the United States these days is one of constant loss. If we do not have a death loss, we may lose our job, or maybe feel sadness and grief on behalf of a family member or good friend for their loss. Perhaps we simply miss people in our life because they have moved.

Tish Harrison Warren dives into a sample of her discussions of various types of grief and mourning. She writes, “…we hold both joy and grief together because they both witness to things that are true.” I agree totally with her writing that we must acknowledge the sadness.”

Whether the sadness or loss is something we might see as common, we must realize that people and even in the church must slow down and make time for grief. In our culture today, I believe friends and others need to acknowledge the need to support others through times of tragedy and trauma.

I remember our pastor stressing this is a time to show-up and shut-up. Folks won’t remember what you may have said, but will remember your reaching out to them. Our empathy provides a band aid during a difficult time.  

The author, Tish, suggests that our weeping is natural…that even God and Jesus wept, and did not downplay losses nor giving pat answers. She reminds us that those in our faith believe ultimately in a place of eternal joy and that maybe, after we weep here on earth, we might stand in front of a God and weep one last time with “the One who alone is able to permanently wipe away our tears.” 

Meanwhile, let’s help those in need of empathy and may they and you be At Peace.