(I edited this from my sister’s writing on April 27th. She’s had a full month)
I watch my older family members buckle with age while
life goes on as usual for everyone else
My father weeps over my mother’s decline and he asks, “What will happen today?” while
life goes on as usual for everyone else
My aunt clings to my uncle’s hand as deadly toxins build in her blood while
life goes on as usual for everyone else
I watch my grandmother, bedridden with dementia and kidney failure while
life goes on as usual for everyone else.
Jesus understands this grief, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, stay here and keep watch with Me,” but
life went on as usual for everyone else
My neighbors, friends and family have all faced the sorrow of losing loved ones and
life went on as usual for everyone else (sadly, including me)
I understand this, I know I’m not the only one who has ever experienced a lonely vigil and saying good-bye
But my grief still makes me feel alone, unique, and definitely not as usual