Article August 1, 1988 Issue

The love that moves us beyond grief and guilt

True affection doesn't end with physical parting. And we realize this as we find out what it means to love spiritually.

Kathleen Sue Purdy

When a friend or family member passes away and we struggle with a sense of loss or separation, under some circumstances our struggle may be compounded by the concern "Could I have loved more, shared more, shown more appreciation to this one during our time together?" Or possibly "Is there more I could have done to help? Might I even have prevented this loss?"

These questions often carry with them feelings of doubt, disappointment, guilt, or even self-recrimination that can hamper our coming to terms with an individual's passing. But through a fuller understanding and expression of God's love in our lives, we can find healing answers. And by our healing, others wrestling with the same questions can be helped toward healing as well.

I remember thinking, at the passing of one dear to me, that in every action relating to my friend, whether writing or telephoning her, being with her or thinking about her, I had been acknowledging and appreciating the qualities of God she so distinctly and joyously expressed.

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