Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

My friend took the time to write an email about her experiences being with her mother when she died, and how that is feeling a couple of days since. I was so touched she wrote, and some of the things she said echoed my experiences when my dad died, and I was in charge of the care and concern of his friends. I didn't feel ready for it, I was only forty, and my mother had died only ten months before. I got through it somehow, then talked to my therapist twice a week for year, and recouperated from mono to boot. I really empathathize with what she's going through. At the same time in the same week, my dear Aunt died, and I've been trying to support my cousin, whom I'm very close to, but texts. My aunt died on my birthday, which feels strange as well. My friend and cousin are embarking on a long journey. As I told my cousin, no matter how old you are, when your last parent dies, you feel like an orphan. The last person who loves you unconditionally is gone. These are paths we all take, and loving support is all we can offer each other. And the grieving is long and closure is not a possible goal. Acceptance maybe, but the loss is there in your heart forever more.