2.03.2011

Saying goodbye


"In one of those stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night. And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. 
You will always be my friend...I shall not leave you."

-Antoine de St. Exupery


There is sadness and loss today in the hearts of three of our close friends - who all unconnected and on different parts of the globe are saying goodbye to a brother, a father and a mother.

One might think that someone who has experience with death, especially the death of a parent, will know what to say. But guess what, I don't. I still don't, even after all of this time. But I know what not to say and that less in fact is the safest bet.

Someone gave me a card of the Little Prince, with this quote when my dad died, and it is the only thing that has ever stayed with me. Perhaps in its simplicity, it says just the right thing.

To the families who tonight are lost and blindly navigating the strange and unreal first hours and weeks after the death of someone you love, I am thinking of you and sending you the strength to simply go one day, one breath, one moment at a time.

4 comments:

jilly said...

Thanks A - it will be 4 years this year that I lost my aunt, my best friend, my everything. I too think about everyone who is grieving and dealing with loss..not sure about the whole time healing all thing...
Jill Larson

alex t said...

Jill - I too don't think that time heals all things, it perhaps just gives perspective and tools on how to make the hole in one's heart a bit more manageable.

Shadi said...

Well said. 10 years later, not a day goes by that I don't think of my dad. But these days I don't cry every time he comes to mind. Indeed it is a bit manageable, but no less painful.

Shadi said...
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