Expecting to be greeted by an outpouring of sympathy, he walked into silence. When it comes to acknowledging death, all of society needs help
After decades of work and the constant demands of a busy life, a husband and wife take a trip abroad. One day they go for a walk in a national park. There workers are doing what they do, taking care of the surrounds. Suddenly, without warning, a chainsaw goes through its final motions and a large tree comes crashing down. He walks ahead but being a split second behind him she is trapped and sustains severe injuries. Precious time is lost being transported by road and air to one hospital, then to another and another. She suffers catastrophic brain damage and he has to make the decision to switch off her life support. Then he returns home alone. Picture his devastation. Imagine the survivor’s guilt.
Back at work, a shock of a different kind awaits. Expecting to be greeted by an outpouring of sympathy at his loss, he walks into silence. People go past him and look sideways. They make an off-colour joke. Or they work with him and say nothing. His raw grief craves acknowledgment. He knows that nothing will bring her back, but a simple recognition of his loss might just pull him through the day. After all, a sorrow shared is a sorrow divided.
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/37lrPec
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