Grief All Around

While I was at my sister's, some people died. 
One was the mother of one of my former students, now Facebook friend, who was suffering from the same cancer that took my stepson just a month ago.  I arrived home in time to go to her funeral visitation, knowing no one except the daughter.  This woman was 54.  Her husband was retired and spent his time caring for her in this awful illness.  I was so very touched by a little vase of flowers next to the casket from him.  It said, simply, "I would do it all again." 
It reminded me of the time 38 years ago, almost to the day, that I stood under the canopy at the end of my grandmother's graveside funeral service and listened to my grandfather sob, "I don't want to leave her here!" 
Faithful and devoted to the inevitable end.  God bless them all.

The other death, I totally missed.  There is/was a couple from my church that also comes on Monday afternoons to help with the Homeless Ministry:  John and Carolyn.  An older couple.  They helped to pack bags with fruit cups and pudding cups, etc., and assisted with preparing the meals.  John generally chopped onions or carrots or whatever needed to be done.  Carolyn, like me, helps from a sitting position due to mobility problems.
I got the news on Friday that Carolyn was driving them somewhere when John had a massive heart attack in their car.  She detoured to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.  His funeral happened while I was gone.  I was so shocked with the news of his passing.
Carolyn was in church today.  I managed to work my way over to her at the end of the service before she left the sanctuary to give her a hug.  She looked so lost and numb.  As I talked to her, she only shrugged her shoulders when I asked how she was holding up.  Never said a word.  I know very little about her or her family, only that she is suddenly alone, unexpectedly.  My heart aches for her.

Grief all around.

And now it looks like one of my radio friends is about to have back surgery in a week or two.  And my sister is still wrestling with Shingles.  And a couple in my Sunday School class is suffering because the female half has injured the skin on one of her legs in a fall...for the second time...and it isn't healing well. 

I get scared sometimes that human suffering deluges the Almighty with supplications for help.  I need an attitude adjustment!  I feel so helpless!