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The Joy of Being Part of a Strong Community in Times of Grief

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Sahar's Blog 2015 02 11 The Joy of Being Part of a Strong Community in Times of GriefYesterday, a friend of mine suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. It was difficult news to receive, not just because it was unexpected, but mostly because this young man was an incredible source of joy to all those around him. He is the kind of person the world today needs more of.

As his friends around the world found out, emails and text messages started pouring in. “Have you heard?” “I can’t believe it!” “I can’t stop crying.” “Why?” My own struggle with these same questions became easier as I shared thoughts and comfort with these friends.

Then the tributes started appearing on Facebook; first, a couple of statuses’ were updated; then, pictures were added; as the day went on, my feed became filled with pictures of my friend beaming alongside various people he had met throughout his life, accompanied, more often than not, with beautiful words of remembrance.

My friends and I know that “death is a messenger of joy”, and it does make the separation caused by the passing of someone precious a lot easier—they are, after all, in a much better place. But even then, there is a difficult period of adjustment that is required for us, as we learn to live without the physical presence of a loved one.

This is where a strong community makes the world of a difference. The emails and the text messages continue pouring in as friends reminisce about the good times, and support is provided to those closest to the deceased. Through laughter at the memory of some of our friend’s craziest moments, we remember that he is in a better place, and that life, for us, must go on. We realise that he might not be physically here with us, but his spirit lives on. And as we realise that his life was one worth living, we are comforted by the gifts he gave us, and hope that we, in some small way, might have been able to give him gifts that are useful to him in this new adventure his soul has embarked on.

Rest in peace, V.

Image credit: Chad Mauger.

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4 thoughts on “The Joy of Being Part of a Strong Community in Times of Grief

  1. Certainly, one of the positives of the internet is that it allows ones to quickly and easily form a support community. However one feels, whatever happens to one, one can often find connections with others online. It also allows us to share a memorial tribute to a friend. I’m sorry for your loss, but am glad to hear of such outpouring of tributes and memories from those who knew him.

    1. Thank you for your kind words, Allison! It’s been amazing to be able to “hold hands” with so many people around the world, that’s for sure. it’s also a reflection of who he was, and the scope of people he had touched throughout his life. I hope you are well!

  2. I’m so sorry about your friend, Sahar. It’s true that every message and connection means so much during times of grief. Loss is a hard thing to process. Thinking healing thoughts for you and your friends.

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