When I heard her voice I knew that I was hearing the sound of splintering glass from a heart that was shattering. She is a very loving and determined lady. She loved and cared for her husband, who fought valiantly and overcame great odds. At times literally jumping from the grave as the grim reaper tried to pull him into the after life.
Their journey together in this life came to an end at 7:00 this morning. At 8:00 she was notified that her only sister had died at the same time several states away. How do you prepare for such a double whammy?
I think not only of my friend and her family, but I think about all the voices crying out in Japan. The roar of breaking hearts sounds thunderous in my ears.
There is never a time we feel so inept than when a loved one is hurting from loss and there is no way to take that pain away. And yes, even not knowing any of those people in Japan, my heart is heavy with the agony and pain they are enduring.
ReplyDeleteSad and thoughtful. Your first sentence about the single heart shattering, and your last sentence about the roar of thousands breaking hearts hold the piece together and leave your reader thinking about the fragility of life. There is no protection or mending the heart when death takes the dear ones. Yet we live on.
ReplyDeleteTerje
Loss is an and confusing concept. To lose someone so close. Your first line is poignant and riveting. This piece is written so well. I appreciated your use of time - to acknowledge moments of importance. In 4:59 I wrote of my loss of two friends. Even though it didn't occur on the same day, the pain and destruction of heart felt the same. My thoughts go to your friend as well as the many people in Japan struggling to keep faith and rebuild.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote about this so poignantly, I imagine, with your own heart breaking too--for your friend & for those in Japan struggling over their losses. I often think that all we can do is give & take lots of hugs, just be present for those we want to support.
ReplyDeleteA loss is never easy, and two at the same time...I can't even imagine. Sending prayers for strength and hope to your friend and those in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts of support. I feel helpless and I know all you can do is be there.
ReplyDeleteYour final line evoked so many things: pain, loss, sorrow. Life can be so very hard. There is very little we can do when someone experiences such losses except to be there and stand by with them.
ReplyDelete"Splintering glass from a heart that was shattering"...such a deep emotion. All I can offer are prayers of comfort to those shattered hearts.
ReplyDeleteIt was good that your friend could reach out to you, after having faced such sorrow.
ReplyDeleteA doctor once told me that when we break a bone, the place where it was broken becomes stronger when it heals than it was before the break. I'd like to think our hearts are that way: a bit stronger for surviving the breaking.
ReplyDeletePOWERFUL...captures the pain of lost. Prayers.
ReplyDeleteWritten so well it broke MY heart just to read and relate. Sending warmth through thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you. My friend is a wonderful person and her husband was a delight. Pat had a very strong will to survive. I know that prayers are always appreciated. Your caring touches me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful and emotional slice!
ReplyDeleteI have sat in funeral services feeling as if my heart were encased in some sort of gelatin--immobile with grief and unable to feel deeply. We have so many images of sadness--and your splintering image works well for me--a thousand breaks, a thousand or more pieces.
ReplyDeleteI send best wishes to your friend--hope she can be sustained in her grief by people who care, such as you.
Well done.
Elizabeth E.
http://peninkpaper.blogspot.com/
Sometimes the grief is like being incased in gelatin - Suspended animation. Like your body has shut down and your brain is trying to swim through molasses. Just drowning in an overwhelming cascade of pain and loss.
ReplyDeleteI think we have all these experiences at different times. Thank you all for understanding and sharing your experiences. Especially for extending your thoughts and prayers.