Love thy neighbor as thyself

Just beyond the clouds…. (keeping your loved ones memories alive)

Have you ever had a loved one that even beyond death, you are still so close. You miss them more each day. I would love to hear your story. This blog is a chance for me to say you are perfectly normal for feeling this way.

Since losing my father in 2021, I have not yet been just, “okay with it.” Most of us do not generally know what to say as we reach to console our loved ones who are grieving, and so sometimes a common phrase is, “No worries, you’ll feel better and hardly remember as each day goes by.” But, then I realized why? Don’t get me wrong, I have accepted his passing, but I am not sure why I must just move on. So, I have developed a new technique. That, I love him more each day. I speak to him in prayer. And, as I do, I feel as though we shed tears together. Then a great relief comes over me that he has heard me and my day can move forward. Sometimes, I write him letters and poems. Here’s one I’d love to share with you all:

Oh daddy, I feel that you’re just beyond that cloud. That, I can take a plane to see you. I miss you so much.

Why even after all these years does it hurt so? Everyone said each day would get better and that maybe I’d forget it all together.

But, I must say, never…..

Never would I want to forget your smile, your strength, your wisdom, and love…

As I sit in church, I am reminded by these old men who sing in the pews just how I felt to see you so proud of me singing in the choir, with your little freshly colored chocolate mustache that didn’t match your head of grays, you didn’t fool anyone, but I found it absolutely adorable.

Thanks for always trying to be there even on those days you felt you couldn’t. But, I got you, I understood your suffering, and I knew you loved us the best way you knew how. Thanks for being my Dad. Say hi to Jesus for me. Who’s your little chicken? Xoxo…. Isabel

All: It’s been so helpful to write these letters and no longer feel ashamed or weak to still love those who are no longer here. Love is never ending. Recalling their memories only reunites the spirit with the being. It’s so beautiful. So, I am writing to say. Always, remember them each day because that’s how Christ loves us. God bless.

By Isabel Anderson