“Hi, I’m your neighbor from across the street. I just wanted to bring some things by”.

The words flew out of my mouth faster than she could get the door open.

She smiled as I repeated myself.

 “Hi, I’m your neighbor from across the street. I just wanted to bring some things by. We’re so sorry for your loss”.

“Thanks so much”, she said.

I knew my words could not truly be enough to capture the vastness of the heart, mind, soul, and spirit after a loss. But I knew my presence would carry with those words a sense of care and concern.

A few days prior, I saw funeral flowers on my neighbor’s porch just as I was pulling into my driveway.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.

As soon as the funeral flowers caught my eyes, my heart sank to the pit of my stomach.

Because those flowers are particular. They have a statue and presence to them. And I’ve seen enough of them to know what they look like. So I identified them quickly from the car.

So, I knew our neighbors were feeling the pangs of a loss. I immediately thought, oh no, death has met them in some way.

Now, I’d never officially met my neighbors but I knew I had to do something for them.

So, I grabbed a few things from the grocery store along with a card. Drove up, parked, walked up their driveway, and rang the doorbell…

My heart was pounding…

A lady came to the door whom I’d seen and waved hello to several times.

“Hi, I’m your neighbor across the street and I just wanted to bring some things by. We’re so sorry for your loss”.

“Thanks so much”, she said. “It was my mom, she was 98”.

“I’m, so sorry”.

“Yeah, she was in hospice for a while”.

“I’m so sorry. It still doesn’t make it any easier”.

“You’re right”, she said.

And there it was, words of affirmation if you will.

Just because someone is old doesn’t mean when they die, you won’t hurt.
Just because someone is sick and dies, doesn’t mean the grief is any easier.
No matter the case, you have permission to grieve.

So, give yourself permission, no matter the loss.

And as you grieve, I pray that you feel and sense the healing power of Jesus.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV).

Sitting with you,
Natasha

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