Celebrating milestones is important to many of us as we age. Birthdays and anniversaries take on more meaning as we age. As many of our friends and family start to pass away, we often think of our own mortality.
Many of us can accept the death of our peers as we get older. Accepting the illness and death of a person in their twenties is much tougher to handle.
As a parent, I was at a loss for words when my friend told me that her adult child had cancer. There isn’t a play book to follow at times like this. I didn’t know what to say without the words sounding like the “thoughts and prayers” of so many politicians…anything that I said sounded like empty words.
I welled up after hearing my friend’s news. The tears said far more than any of my words could.
When young and seemingly healthy people develop cancer, things seem grossly unfair.
For many of us, turning to faith is helpful. Hoping to find clear direction and bring some light into a dark situation is not an easy thing to do.
Watching a friend grieve the loss of child is painful. Listening and being as supportive as I can be is something that I have cleaved to in the last few weeks. I can’t shake this feeling of a life being snatched away very cruelly.
Having friends and family to speak to during times of grief is important. The bonds and tough conversations weave a thread of humanity and bind us together. Mental health professionals and primary health care providers are excellent resources when you feel that you need to speak with a trained professional.