Grieving People

We hurried before the darkness hindered our mission to hang a massive (48” X 48”) political sign in our front yard. As my husband James drove in the stakes with his hammer and I held the sign, I thought about the change that has consumed us. We have never been the type to put bumper stickers on our car or signs in our yard, but we are different now. We have had a year of grief. We have been on a long journey, and we are passing through this life with a new perspective. The sudden death of a precious son will do that: define priorities and light passions.

Before E.J.’s death we were satisfied with the status quo, feeling no true fervor. But death brings new perceptions and redefines ambition, it is personal. With death there is a desire to seek life and light, a need for the knowledge of God. Life is about kindness, forgiveness, love, acceptance, hope, unity, encouraging and supporting one another in community, and above all seeking God and His truth.

We are weary of hateful, cruel rhetoric, bullying statements, and intimidating language prominent in this political climate. The environment of fear-mongering lies and malicious attacks is depressing and exacerbates our sorrow and loss. This oppressive situation needs to change.

Therefore we decided to support someone who will renew civil discourse and seek understanding in our society. We will vote for a representative who promises to reach across the aisle and compromise to accomplish needed legislation to advance our government. We will give our limited funds to someone who will concur with being inclusive and compassionate to fellow human beings because grieving people need hope and encouragement, and there are many grieving people.

As Christians our ultimate hope is the resurrection, and the divine reunion with our loved one. In the meantime while on this earth, we will endorse a candidate of harmony and accord, and we will pray for peace.

We finished the project with great satisfaction. The huge sign signifies an optimism that we never would have understood if it had not been for the experience of excruciating grief. We will vote for Beto.