Grief is a strange bird. I know I often cry at inappropriate times but I just discovered that I apparently laugh the same way. Although it’s been over a year since Ron went to be with Jesus, I am still getting condolences. Apparently they didn’t hear or just totally forgot that he died. Witness what happened the other day.
“Sorry you lost your husband,” she droned.
She was only mouthing the platitudes we all offer up at such times but it struck me as funny.
I replied, “I haven’t lost him. I know exactly where he is!”
I’m afraid the dear soul was insulted.
A platitude is a pointless, unoriginal, or empty comment or statement made as though it was significant or helpful.
We mean well. However the recipients probably heard the same thing 500 times already. They are hoping for a reprieve. Send me your ideas for fresh comments to make to the bereaved. I will give a copy of The Pregnant Pause of Grief, the first trimester of widowhood for the most original. Send yours to brendawoodauthor@yahoo.ca -put CONTEST in the subject line. You have until May 31st, 2013!
Prayer- Lord, we go to funerals to comfort, not dismay. Please give us fresh ideas so that we can do what we intended. In Christ, Amen.
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