How can one pray to heal grief, following the death of a loved one, when inspirational words and ideas seem inadequate to meet the emotional hurt that one is feeling?
Some years ago when I was living in the United States, I got an overseas call from Europe, where my father was traveling. I was informed that he had suddenly passed on. I had to call may mother in Brazil to give her the sad news. As I sat waiting a few moments to pull my thoughts together and think how I could be a support to her, an image of my father came to mind. I saw him waving goodbye from the airport gate. I felt a sadness and longing, until I was shedding tears.
Then I started looking for some comfort that would free me from the grief. The liberating thought was: The good he did—his vigor and energy, his steadfastness in handling difficult situations, his strength in facing illness, his vision in business, his courage—these are still with you and will be as long as you live. The sadness left, and I called my mother. She was moved when I shared these ideas with her.
