I am still working my way through the "stages" of grief over the loss of my mother in April. Tomorrow is her birthday.
But since I know that there is life after death and that families can be eternal, is my grief selfish? Mama is in a better place, learning and helping others. She's probably happy to be out of this world for a time. So it's ME that is sad, it's ME that wants her back, it's ME that wishes things don't have to change, that she doesn't have to become only a memory for now. And it's ME that has to go through my own grief, in my own way. Only I can do that. And I have to do it.
Why?
Because we all have to experience loss. Death is part of our mortal experience. If we didn't experience this kind of loss, this kind of grief, we wouldn't understand the sacrifice that the Father made, the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. The atonement of Christ would mean less or nothing to us if we didn't know this kind of pain. And so, in my mortal and imperfect way I am eternally grateful.
I pray for help and comfort through this process.
I will survive.
I will grow.
I will be more sympathetic.
