The Faithful Departed
- Lizzie Scagel
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
November 2nd of each year, Catholics observe The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Souls Day. It is exactly 3 months today since Kenny left his earthly body that had caused him so much suffering.
“We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, 'Blessed are they that mourn,' and I accept it. I've got nothing that I hadn't bargained for. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination.”
― C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
I think I can say we are doing as well as can be expected. I don't really have any words of wisdom. I think anyone who has experienced the loss of a parent or spouse or loved one knows that grief is not something that can be rationalized. No matter how much we try to by telling people things like "grief is not linear, there are five stages to grief, oh and you must let yourself grieve." As if we have any say in the matter. In my experience, grief is an invisible monster that follows you around waiting... It waits until you are tired and alone or you experience joy or laughter and then it steps out from the shadows and pounds you into little bits. It seems like this grief monster's strength and power is directly proportional to how much love you had for the person who is gone. It's power is hidden behind all the beautiful memories.
Through God's grace we know the grief monster won't kill us...but it's going to beat the shit out of us for a while. Maybe that's the acceptance part. And maybe one day, through the help and prayers of all the saints and my friends and Kenny, the grief monster's power will start to fade.
So today we will go to mass and pray for all our dearly departed who have left us...until we meet again.
I love you Kenny. Forever and always.
Your Lizzie
