My Friend’s Mom
The loss of my friend’s mom has been an incredibly difficult journey to process and fully navigate. I’m not just grappling with the passing - her death - but more so, the overwhelming grief and sadness experienced by family and friends who see that she is no longer here. Watching someone I care about deeply, going through that kind of pain is heartbreaking.
When my friend lost her mom, I found myself struggling to find the right words. My friend’s mom was just fifty-one years old. I would tell her, “It’ll be okay,” but deep down, I knew I hadn’t experienced a loss like hers. I haven’t lost my mom. That difference created a pause, a strange hesitancy in me—even mentioning the word “mom” around her felt like it might trigger her grief all over again. It’s a delicate balance, wanting to comfort her while also respecting the depth of her pain.
But even in the midst of that sadness, I know her mom’s passing was, in a way, an unexplainable act of God - for the best of her soul and her pain and suffering. I remember walking into the room on the day she passed. I could see how uncomfortable she looked. It was clear that she was no longer was at peace in this world, and that she was in deep pain. The thought of going home to be with the LORD brought incredible comfort, as written in Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort” — knowing that she is free from that discomfort.
I have faith that my friend will be okay. She has been surrounded by an incredible community of friends and family who love her deeply. We will always be here for her, to support her through the hard days and to celebrate her mom’s memory with her. I pray that her family, left behind in this world, finds peace in their hearts. I pray that they are comforted with the hope that they will be reunited with their mom in the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is no pain nor sorrow.
Through all of this, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The church, our Pastor, and its members showed up in ways I can’t even express fully. They dropped everything in their lives to be there for my friend and her family, to pray with them, to stand beside them at the funeral, and to offer their unwavering support. Seeing that level of care and compassion was beautiful. Many of the prayer requests we lifted up for my friend’s mom were answered. I couldn’t have asked for a more loving and dedicated church community.
Even in grief, there is light and hope. The love of family, friends, and a supportive faith community can carry us through the darkest times. I know my friend and her family will continue to find strength in that love, and in the promise of eternal peace.