Wednesday, March 16, 2011

And Yet...Life Goes On















Shortly after my son passed away, I remember sitting in a meeting of some sort, where everyone was fully engaged in a discussion that was filled with laughter and mirth, when suddenly and unexpectedly it hit me...everyone was carrying on with their lives as if nothing had happened.

I had to get up and leave the room to gain my composure. The realization hit me like the power of a tsunami as it washed over me the cold cruel fact that yes, indeed, even though my world was at a stand still, life does go on.

How could this be? Why didn't the world stop turning after such a great loss? I know mine did, what was the matter with everyone else?

I was still filled with these thoughts as the meeting ended and I left to go spend some time at my son's grave. It was then that I came to accept the fact that life does go on even after a devastating event. It doesn't matter if it's the death of a mother's beloved child, or if it's a tragedy that affects an entire nation and thousands of people. Sooner than not, everyone is back to their normal lives of laughing, shopping, working, celebrating, and the day to day-ness of life, as if nothing ever happened.

Five years later, and after witnessing a few other friends bury their children, I now know that life must go on. If life were lived in constant sadness and grief, we would miss out on all the joy that surrounds us in mass each and every day from just simply being alive. We would forget what the plaque hanging in my home quoting President Gordon B. Hinckley says, "In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
I am so grateful to those who understand that I still love to talk about my son as they express to me that he is still remembered and always will be.













We will soon stop talking and hearing news reports on the tragedy in Japan long before the people have recovered. As always, life will go on. But that doesn't mean we ever have to forget what happened. I vow to remember and pray for those whose lives will never be the same again.

I am also praying for them to waken to the realization, while in the midst of their despair, that one day they too will shop, work, celebrate, laugh, and talk about the trivial things and the dailyness of life again. I did!















8 comments:

Audrey said...

Beautifully written. It is perfect.

Camilla said...

Hi Jodi. Just blog-hopping...:)

I actually thought about you the other night...it seems that I have been hearing so many heartbreaking stories lately and I was wondering how people deal with such tragedy in their lives and how I would deal with it. I thought of you and how you are happy and enjoying your life, even though you still have hard days I'm sure. It's just good to know that there's always hope. You are a great example of that.

Lesa said...

Thank you for this. It was what I needed to hear today. Can't believe it's been so long since we lived in BC. This puts it in perspective.

Lesa said...

Thank you for this. It was what I needed to hear today. Can't believe it's been so long since we lived in BC. This puts it in perspective.

karen said...

Jodi - This really touched me. It brought me back to a time I felt the same way about the world going on as if nothing had happened and we were facing a 2 year with a brain tumor (although that is nothing compared to your loss). I am not very good at putting my feelings down in words and you really nailed my feelings and the way I came to look at things. Thanks for reminding me.

karen said...

Jodi - that was beautiful. It brought me back to a time in my life when I discovered the same thing about the world going on in the face of a trial in our life, but also learning how it is also necessary. I am not good at putting my feelings into words and you said perfectly what I felt. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of that.

Marissa said...

Jodi,
Your blog made me think of this quote... "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Jodi said...

That is so interesting you would say that because that is one of my all time favorite quotes! I even have it on my side bar!!!!!
THANKS!

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