Divisiveness and intolerance for others’ views seem prevalent all around us today. We see it in our political beliefs, social justice concerns, and health environment. It is apparent within families, workplaces, and organizations. When we are grieving the painful death of a child, grandchild, or sibling, this divisiveness creates walls that can make our sorrow even deeper. It’s difficult enough when we’re grieving to feel connected to the people around us, and these dividing walls can further isolate us.
The Compassionate Friends credo begins with these words:
We need not walk alone.
We are The Compassionate Friends
We reach out to each other with love, with understanding, and with hope.
The children we mourn have died at all ages and from many different causes,
but our love for them unites us.
Uniting people who share this deep grief was the premise that started The Compassionate Friends. The death of our brother, sister, child, or grandchild permeates all aspects of our being. It’s something that can’t easily be explained to those who have not experienced it, while those who have, possess a deep and compassionate understanding that requires little explanation. The bonds within our TCF community can bridge these chasms we see around us. Rather than being further isolated in our grief, we can feel surrounded by understanding, community, and shared hope that can be lifesaving during this time.
While none of us would choose to be a part of this community given the reason that brought us, we are connected at a deeply meaningful level. It’s hard to see someone across the table with a similar loss and stay in a place of intolerance and anger. When we remember what binds us as a group and honor our shared losses, we focus on supportive and comforting connectedness. When we reach for the love in our hearts that’s bolstered by our shared sorrow, we can model a greater energy that’s needed in our world. Our child, grandchild, or sibling who died and brought us to TCF is honored each time we choose this path of connection through our differences rather than more division because of them.
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Shared understanding of the grief and sorrow suffered by our loss is gratefully appreciated,
Thank you for being there. I really have no one else. This connection with others helps and I appreciate that this organization was referred to me.
Shari, these are good words fit for the times in which we live.
Thanks for your leadership.
I have lost so many people who I thought were close friends who stopped reaching out to me even weeks after I lost my son. I cannot understand. It is so easy to reach out to someone by email who is experiencing this horribly sad time.