Life truly is the most precious gift we are ever given. Working in a hospital, I look death in the face everyday. For me, the hard part isn’t death. When I say that I mean the actual event.
People get taken way too young, no matter what age. A grandparent that’s going to miss the birth of his future grandkids; a mother or father leaving behind their children; an adolescent not growing old with their close friends never getting to experience having children of their own; children who never get to have their first love, get their drivers licenses, go to prom; a newborn baby who doesn’t even really understand their parents love, who never gets to know the world outside the hospital.
While these are tragic and devastating events, for me that’s not the hardest part. The hardest part for me is seeing the people that have been left behind. Grieving family and friends that would do anything for a little bit more time. I feel bad for the ones that suddenly feel their heart breaking all over again as their loved ones favorite song comes on the radio. I feel for the ones that during every big event, wish that one person was there to share it with them.
It’s the ones that remain living that carry the biggest burden. While death is natural, and we all know it is inevitable, why doesn’t it make it easier when it comes knocking at our doors? The people that light up our lives and then are taken away leave this hole that is never completely filled.
As I sat at Justine’s funeral today I couldn’t help but wonder, would she still be here if she had known the extent of her friends love? Had she known how many people truly cared about her and her happiness…might she be with us today? If she saw how many people are grieving and hurting because they miss her so much…would it have changed her mind? Sometimes all it takes is an act of love, and we all had SO MUCH love to give her.
I just hope she sees it now. I hope she knows how much we love and miss her. How much she impacted our lives, and how none of us will ever be quite the same without her.
