How Levity Can Make Losing Someone Easier

Wow, talk about the luck of pulling the absolutely right answer out of thin air at a moment's notice, Carol! Laughter is always the answer. You can never get too upset when you're laughing.

You're a good neighbor and a good friend Carol Williams.   

Hi Carol Williams - Your post touched my heart. You wrote the post you were supposed to write. More importantly, you have a good soul and we would all be lucky to call you our neighbor.

Good evening Carol Williams ,

What a wonderful gift you gave this husband who was grieving..a little levity which brought things into perspective. It is what we should do..take care of each other. Sheri Sperry - MCNE® is right you are a good soul and I wish I had you as my neighbor.

What a touching post, Carol. I don't think there is any one answer, but keeping in mind that someone else  is suffering and needs someone to talk to, or to listen to them, is so important. Sometimes the simplest gestures mean the most.

Jeff

I’m so sorry to hear that you lost Your friend and I wish you nothing but love and light and many blessings!

Jeff Dowler, CRS That’s what it’s all about. It’s good that we have each other to support one another and just be there for whatever comes

Incredible act of love and kindness  you displayed with your neighbor. Having a parent with dementia and the difficulty of seeing your intelligent mother not even know what a toothbrush is, just hits you to the core. Your kind act of compassion and caring means the world to that family, I AM SURE!

Your words to the husband were thoughtful and caring. Having served as a hospice volunteer for 3 years, I can tell you that words don't hold as much importance as just being there. In your case, your were there and your words were full of understanding and love. Super!

Truly enjoyed reading your blog. It hits close to home as we try to minister to my soon to be 94 year old mother-in-law. Every visit is met with a statement from her saying that she is ready to meet her Lord.

I was so happy to see this featured. Far too many people are so afrad of death, they don't want to talk about it - or think about  it. It's too bad, we're all on some phase of the journey.  D 

Carol, thank you for sharing how we can be caring and involved in the lives of others and bring them peace and happiness even in tough times.

Thank you Carol. Unfortunately, many in this world endure pain, some periodically and others for a lifetime. Kindness, compassion and love can do a lot to comfort those in need.

I hope your new neighbors are kind, too. I am of the opinion that all of us are on a journey and, as such, have stories to be told. That can be happy or sad stories, but they are never unimportant. Thank you for sharing.

Those are some precious moments with your neighbors.  It's always so sad to see one lose the other.  Witnessing that is unforgetable.  Good thing they have you to be a friend and neighbor. 

Carol Williams what a sweet neighbor you have been.  I had a situation recently where humor was certainly my salvation.  My father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer throughout his body.  While the Dr. had given him two months to live, I am thankful I went to visit him immediately and was able to spend his last week with him.  He passed just hours after I had to leave and go home, only 10 days after his diagnosis.  I saw a business associate a few days after my return who had heard of his illness but not of his passing.  She asked "how's your dad doing?"  My reply?  "He's doing quite well now resting comfortably in an Urn" to which we both laughed and shared stories of our times with our fathers.  

Carol, I don't have much advice for anyone, but I do have a short story. A few years ago, I received a frantic call from a young lady whose wedding I performed. Her mother suddenly passed. She was reasonably young and it was a shock. The family wanted me to conduct the service. I agreed. When the service began, everyone was weepy and sad. But, Rhonda and I had a totally hilarious relationship for years, and I started in by telling the audience a half dozen stories about our interaction. By the time I finished, they were laughing and there wasn't a tear to be found. Fortunately, I knew her well enough to pull out the part that everyone loved about her and I highlighted that rather than her tragic passing. I've done that many times with friends and family that have passed and the people seem to appreciate the levity while accepting the tragedy. 

You did your neighbor and her husband a great service. Bless you.

We're all in this together - often what seems like a tragedy at first is minor in hindsight. There's a fine line between life and death.

That was a wonderful response you had for your neighbor's husband. My mother-in-law passed away a few weeks ago (I've been planning to write a post but haven't yet) and my father-in-law is not doing well with it. It's very sad when people who were together so long are no longer together. 

You are a good friend. Your friends are lucky to have you as a friend.