On Death...

Nobody living knows what truly lies beyond the veil of Death. Aside from our births (which presumably none remember), the one thing all of humanity has in common is that each of us will eventually live through the deaths of people we love. In this way, Death is the great equalizer.

We feel sad and scared around Death because it is the Great Unknown. The Bible reassures us and gives us some general ideas about it - but really focuses much more on how we should live than what precisely happens as/after we die. But perhaps it's just like so many other things in this world - where words just fail to do the reality of something any justice. We have enough trouble finding words to describe the physical world we live in... it would be relatively impossible to describe a Spiritual world that exists beyond our own. But again - our inability to grasp and understand the next step is what (I think) really makes us sad...

But like Pixar's "Inside Out" points out - Sadness isn't a bad emotion to embrace. It lets others know that we need them. It connects us in our pain and suffering. It draws empathy and compassion and unspoken feelings towards those we see going through difficult times. It reminds us not to take for granted the time we have - since nobody knows when a life will come to an end.

I am deeply saddened to have lost my sister. And until I get to speak with God directly, I will not get any answers as to why this was the amount of time measured for her life. I don't like the waiting. But I also know this sadness has a purpose, and for all of the ways it has drawn others back into my life - even for a brief moment - I am grateful. If the positions were reversed, and I was watching as Cynthia mourned my passing - it would be my hope that she would find strength in the love God placed around her and make the most of each day she has.

That is my hope still.