LOSS

Notes of Concern…

   …Jack Blair

LOSS

A long time ago Joe Biden, a very young man at the time, won election to the United States Senate. No one thought he had much of a chance. I am sure his family: wife, two sons and one daughter, were proud of him and looking forward to this new experience.

One week before he was to be sworn in as a U.S. Senator his family was in a horrific car crash. It took the lives of his young wife and young daughter. His two sons were injured and hospitalized. The Senator-elect is said to have refused to leave the hospital beds of his sons and his swearing-in took place in the hospital. There were some things written about his resigning his seat and looking to his family. Few could believe he would find a way to overcome such a tragedy.

But he did.

Unlike most Senators he did not rent a living space in Washington, DC. Looking back on it I can imagine he decided to fulfill all his responsibilities, personal and professional. So he kept the family home so he could be there to kiss his young sons goodnight, every nite, and to wake them and breakfast with them every morning. In order to accomplish this he had to take a two hour train ride, each way, from home to his Senate office.

I suppose there are some who felt he could not keep this up. Others who may have thought he would do it just for a short time. The fact is he did it every day until I am told he moved into the official quarters of The Vice President of the United States.

For those who felt he would not be able to be an outstanding Senator, let me tell you candidates for president don’t worry about picking a vice presidential candidate because he can deliver Delaware. Biden was selected because of his excellent work, his ease with people, and the kind of dedication to duty that four hour a day train ride took.

Just a few weeks ago a young lady in her ate thirties succumbed to breast cancer. She had a twelve year old son. She had fought hard, lost her hair and proudly went without a wig or cloth covering,  attended church, weddings and social events. We knew her as a baby. We saw her again about two years ago at a wedding and she was as upbeat, vibrant and happy as one could be. I am attending her wake this week.

A couple months ago my cousin, best man at our wedding, living in North Carolina was moved to hospice. I spent a week with him and helped his family move him to what would be his last home. He approached his end with dignity, without complaint, and with the joy that family and friends were there.

We all have stories of loss. It really doesn't matter the cause of one’s demise or even the unfairness of the timing. We have no explanation how people are able to enjoy the gift of years and live into the hundreds while others are taken as infants, teenagers, young mothers or fathers. No matter how we try we cannot find an acceptable reason for dying. Yet we all know that is the common goal we all have in our lives.

Also, some families are hit harder than others. The Kennedy’s come to mind. But they are not alone. During the wars you can see the Gold Stars on the windows of neighbors’ homes. Hardly a graduation weekend goes by that is not marred by the tragedy of losing a young person just starting out on a career.

Loss is part of living.

Accepting loss is part of recovering.

Forgetting loss is never possible but the pain of loss can lessen.

Hold close the ones you love. None of us has any idea how many more days we will be with them.