Grief really is like the waves of the sea

 Today we said a heartfelt farewell to a beautiful lady and soul. She had so bravely battled with her illness, and did so with a strength and dignity that were simply remarkable. The chapel was beyond capacity with just so many people gathered wishing to say their own farewells and show the heartbroken family their love and support.

We shared during our eulogy that some people have a gift to have such a positive and incredible impact on the lives of others. For this special lady, it was not only to her family but also to all of the children who she met in her time working in local schools.

I have yet to see a family so utterly devastated by their loss. Their just weren't words. Comfort seemed all but out of reach for them all. But their strength lay in their togetherness. 

We enjoyed a warm and loving moment as they shared that, as a family, they have  their code to share how they are each feeling. At good times they are surfing on the surface, at other just times hanging onto the board until the waves calm a little. For them it is so true that - 

“Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing.
Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming.
All we can do is learn to swim.”
- Vicki Harrison.  

Today was the first day in many that I had to do all that I could not to openly cry myself. The moment  was caught and gently supported by a lovely member of the gathering who just laid a hand on my arm and whispered "I know. Me too. It is just so hard today. We have lost a beautiful lady" x
Quite how she had the awareness or strength to care for somebody else at her own time of need was beyond me. But I was so grateful that she had.