As my mother used to say, there’s a song for everything.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase;
To added affliction, He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials – His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance;
When our strength has failed ‘ere the day is half done;
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources;
Our Father’s full giving is only begun!

Oh, His love has no limit – His grace has no measure!
His power has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus…
He giveth…and giveth…and giveth again.

A “season of loss” can bring about a “season of grief.” We, obviously, not only grieve when we suffer a loss but also when a dear friend or loved one experiences a life-altering event. We should always try to move closer to God in difficult times like this and He will help us in ways that will bring about a “season of growth” in our Christian walk. It’s much like the saying, “It’s in the valleys that I grow.” And, the imagery of the four seasons is to illustrate that grief is cyclical, not a linear journey with a clear end. . .we must not hurry grief.

And yes, sadly, I believe it is our age that’s causing us to see so much suffering and death around us, sweet Tori. As God helps prepare us for our heavenly home, He allows these bodies to wear out. . .helping us to realize that we will no longer need them one day. And often, that’s what we witness in those around us. . .since so many of our friends and loved ones are our age or older. But praise God, heaven is eternal and we’ll have a new body!

Reading your writings today brought this to mind so I thought I’d share it.

“There is sacredness in tears.
They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.
They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.
They are messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.”
~ Washington Irving

Oh, I love the weeping angel!

Besides the fact that I am mad about you, I also really love the way you write. The way you are able to pry open your sternum and reveal your beautiful beating heart with such loveliness. That is who you are. And I love that you left us with the benediction from Jane Kenyon. I love that poem. Good thing to meditate on.

I wish I could be there to love on you. Sit on your porch and listen to the rain. We’ll do it soon, dear friend.