In 1966 my husband passed on, and I was left to continue on with two loving and understanding children. I was sustained beautifully by the love expressed by family and friends, and it seemed as though for weeks and months the Christian Science periodicals were written especially for me, for every one I picked up to read had a message to comfort me.
One such article from a Christian Science Sentinel, which uplifted me, quoted from the Miscellaneous Writings of Mrs. Eddy: "When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts. Oh, may you feel this touch,—it is not the clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path!" (p. 306). The article went on to say that this realization leaves no void, no longing.
Yet as time went on, although I knew that God is our Life and that Life is eternal, I still could not let go of memories that very often brought tears of sorrow. One day when I was speaking to a good friend who was a Christian Science practitioner, mention was made of someone who had not been released from grief even though much time had passed. I remarked, "Well it cannot happen overnight." I then said to my friend that even though I knew the truth about man's immortality and felt I had conquered my grief, the hardest part was missing the loved one. He then said to me, "Then you have not conquered it. How can you miss him when he has not gone anywhere?"
