Grace

My ex-boyfriend’s sister died the weekend before Easter and with my recent health problems both have culminated to have an effect on how I feel, think and put into perspective my actions over the last five years. Every time I think about Grace, even though I did not know her well, I am saddened by her untimely departure. In fact during the 2005 General Election Campaign, she had helped me with some photographs despite her bewilderment as to whom I was and what I believed in. She was kind, loving and passionate about the things in life that made her happy, despite a childhood full of entanglements and challenges. She leaves behind a daughter – Megan. She is only a small child and to me life is so unfair that it takes her mother away from her at such a young age. I know of God and I feel the connection with Christ, but my understanding of these actions give rise to anger and sadness. Am I upset for Richard, Grace, Megan or myself as I learn another lesson that getting older brings with it greater sadness? Well all of the above, but I feel empathy and sadness for Richard as he has lost his sister, Megan her mother, her mother a daughter and her community a light of joy and goodness.

Some have said that death focuses the mind on living your life in pursuit of achievement or gives you a reason for being, though I do not subscribe to this view. Life is cruel and no matter what it is that brings tears flowing from our eyes, it is often painful and unpleasant. For justifiable reasons we are told that sadness makes us stronger and that we have no right to expect that we are special, nor even of value. But I disagree for Grace was special to all those that loved her and it is utterly unfair that she now has no physical life to show Megan that her heart belonged to her. Grace – I am sorry that you are no longer smiling and touching other people’s lives, but I know that your heart will reach out from wherever your soul now resides; for love and sweetness that strong can never die.