When my family suffered through the twin losses of mom and dad, my sisters and I were overwhelmed by the unsolicited support from people whose lives mom and dad has touched. Dozens upon dozens of flowers filled our living room and veranda; food and drinks flooded our tables; genuine sympathy overflowed. They came unannounced and unanticipated – some, from people my sisters and I do not even know; some, from those we never expected will share our grief with us and “hold our hand” through out the ordeal.
I was floored to see one of our family’s known political opponents share a common table with my brother while the rest of his clan paid a last tribute to my mom.
Even in the most painful of moments when I was struggling to come to terms to with my dad passing, I will never forget that moment when an estranged uncle sat beside me in front of my daddy’s casket and shed torrents of repentant tears while clutching my arm like as if his life depended on it.
Indeed, “tragedy forms unexpected alliances.”
May 2012
and so it goes... 