Fond reflections about our departed loved ones

Whether I like it or not, it comes around every year and, with it, it brings along a deep sense of loss, a horrible feeling of emptiness and the feeling that a thousand bowling balls have settled on my heart never to move themselves from it. That is what the dreaded month of November does to me, that is what I am sure it does to most people.

It is the month when we pay our respects to the dead who left us in a valley of tears, the month when they are remembered more often than most months. Isn't it a crying shame how some radio stations actually start promoting Christmas by playing Christmassy songs in the middle of November? O the sorrow of having to watch your children die before you especially in some freak accident which have been countless this year! O the grief of knowing that there is no way on earth that you are going to say that much loved three letter word "Mum" again.

Some people believe that once our loved ones die, they have automatically cut the "cord" that binds us to them but I will never believe that and, no, it's not wishful thinking. What I believe is that they see and know all that is happening in their loved one's life but, of course, all they have the power to do is ask God to intervene in our times of sorrow and distress. Others believe that, when death comes to us all, we will not recognise each other in the afterlife. Is this not a fallacy though? Is it possible that God who is nothing but pure love will not allow a mother and daughter to be re-united after the latter has died in some car accident? Will the God I was taught about on my mother's knee deprive me of hugging and kissing my mother the minute I set eyes on her in the afterlife? Will the humble God I know and got to love at a tender age prevent me from recognising a Dad who worked so hard to give me a good education? I think not.

November may come and go but once the dead have departed, they will never return. Take heart all ye who have lost a loved one though. The God of love I know so very well will permit us to be reunited with those we loved in life.

Mum and Dad, I am sure that when my time on earth is done, God will be the witness of watching me hug you close to my heart.