It was 3:00 pm on this past Sunday afternoon that word finally made it to me after finishing up some marriage counseling. Those words that every person dreads to hear, ‘There has been a death in the family.’ As my wife set on the couch in my office she explained that my former step father, who was part of my life for fifteen years, passed away in a sudden car accident just a few hours earlier.
Dealing with death is such a strange thing that evokes emotions that are difficult to explain. I find it amazing how everyone has experienced the emotions that a death evokes yet we all struggle to communicate it! Over the past 24 hrs my emotions have been a whirlwind of memories, both good and bad, hurts, happiness, and even a little regret.
The word teaches us that there is a season for everything. A season for laughter and a season for crying. A season for life and a season for death. Seasons are great because they don’t last forever. They only last for a season! Living in Michigan, we have for very distinct seasons which is totally different from what I am used to down south. It really has helped me to understand seasons much more. I love summer, but by the end, I am ready for winter. I hate winter and look forward to spring but then tire of it as well. Seasons keep us moving forward. Seasons don’t last forever. Seasons have good parts and bad.
So how do I deal with loss? By recognizing it is simply a season and the hurt with end and be replaced with joy!
Rest In Peace Todd Suddath and our prayers go out to you and your family!
