A Fragile Gift of Love

ForwardAs a parish priest for almost forty years and as a pastor for 30 years I have had to deal with the sadness of human life in various ways. In the face of grief, words fail and trite platitudes sometimes evoke anger in one whom we are trying to console. I have often felt helpless in the face of human loss and wanted to do more than extend the care and concern of a priest for a suffering member of his flock. Death, divorce, the loss of a pet can be especially difficult for children. The inability of children to properly express grief in the face of loss often leads to misbehavior and emotional issues.Adults sometimes need help in overcoming loss and moving on with their lives. For many people the grief experience is an emotional trauma that needs attention in the same way that physical illness must be treated. Yes, some need professional help to get past their difficulties, but my experience is that support groups and the counseling by an individual who truly understands the grief process is most beneficial.