Today would have been my Dad’s birthday. He passed away almost 13 years ago. As is often the case with life altering events, it is hard to believe it was so long ago as some of my memories of him are still so very vivid as if created only a few days ago. As I sit here this morning, quietly honoring his memory, the impact he has had on my life and the gratitude for his influence on who I am today, the question that comes to the forefront of my mind is how do people without faith deal with the loss of a loved one.

I am not looking to evangelize, that is not my point with this post, but it is a true and heartfelt question. Whenever I think of the loss of a loved one, mingled with the tears of sorrow are tears of gratitude for my faith. I no longer get to hug them or talk to them and hear their voice in the same way I once did (they always echo in my heart), but I have my faith that I will get to see them again someday when my journey on earth is done.

It is that faith that has gotten me through the loss of Mom and Dad, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends, and beloved pets. And just as I am grateful to have a warm roof over my head in this time of an arctic vortex with temperatures at -30, in awe of how our homeless survive, I am grateful for the faith instilled in me that allows my fragile heart to be strong and remain open to continue to love knowing that it may at some point come with loss.

And I wonder, with respect for their ability to also work through loss, how do those without faith do it?

Happy birthday Dad. Thinking of you, with gratitude, knowing I will see you again one day,

With love, Glenna