The death toll of the Christchurch Earthquake currently stands at 75. There are people being killed on the streets of Libya as they try to oust their leader. The Manager at Dimples’ Nursery lost her fight with Breast Cancer last week, leaving a young son and a hole in our community.
When you get news like this, news that affects you deeply, it’s hard to know what the right thing to do would be. In the case of the civil unrest in the Middle East, it would be impossible for me as an individual to be of any direct help, save a name on a petition and many prayers for a swift resolution. And though similarly I cannot be of any direct use to the people of Christchurch, I can at least donate money to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal as a way of expressing my sympathy. Whilst I do have friends and family in New Zealand, they are all safe and well though, I imagine, reeling from shock and grief as is the rest of the nation. I am certain that they would do the same if our situations were reversed.
When it comes to those events that are closer to home, yet still touch you in some way, sending a card to let people know you are thinking of them is often the best recourse. Grief is a very personal thing and, being British, I never know how to intrude on someone’s sorrow in a helpful way. A card sent in sympathy lets them know I am thinking of them, that they are not alone, and that I will be there if they need me. The traditional image for sympathy cards seems to be either a dove, or a white lily: capturing grief on the faces of those experiencing it in a way that would give it Hallmark appeal would be impossible. And as I survey our sitting room, filled as it is with cards celebrating Dimples’ birthday, I can imagine that in moments of such darkness, the last thing you would want is to be surrounded by pictures of grief-stricken faces.
Dimples has been very ill of late, though I am pleased to say that she is making a speedy recovery from the Gastro-entiritis that consumed our lives last week. She was such a sad little girl, who just wanted her mamma to make her better. I felt as helpless then as I do now, trying to write the card for the Nursery Nurse’s family. All I could do was cuddle her until her tears stopped.
There are many other Expressions in The Gallery today. I have no doubt one of them will make you smile far more than this melancholy post.
Hope Dimples feels better soon!
Sometimes the badness and sadness of the world gets a bit much and to keep sane we have to block it out, but still it sneaks in and catches you when you least expect it. It makes you appreciate what you have all the more!
You are right, we are so lucky. Grief is a very personal thing, but I think I would always appreciate a happy memory of my loved one, and/or just to know that people are thinking of us.
I think that’s a lovely post. If only everyone in the world thought like you it would be a better place.
Glad that she’s on the mend. All of these things really make you realise what’s most important, cliched as that sounds I know. I always make myself send a card when people are having times as I think that, even if they don’t feel it at the time, to realise later that someone was thinking of them means an awful lot. I know what you mean about the traditional cards too, I always send a bright one instead, small attempt to tempt a little smile.