Letting Go
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.”
2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV
She was only five years old. It was her first day of school. Her mommy will never forget crying
all the way back as she walked to the house after letting her go and watching as she got on the
school bus that first time.
He was such a faithful companion. The vet said it was time. I cried as I held onto the picture of
him as a puppy. Shortly after I let go of his paw and my best friend went to doggie heaven.
The house was so quiet. The youngest child was off to college. The tears run down my face
uncontrollably as I let go and closed the door on her empty room.
We held hands one last time. Family stood around the bedside. There was a lot of love in the
room as the last breath was taken.
Each of these stories tell of a dramatic moment of separation. Whether it is the little hand that is
off to school or the family pet of many years, or the child that is now grown up, or the loved one.
we care so much about. While there is no one answer or no magic quote that makes all grief go
away there is one reality. We have all had to let go many, many times in life and each one is
difficult. I have discovered a profound conviction. All of life is letting go.
Each of the different times in life that we have had to let go has prepared us for the next letting
go. It will at times be difficult. There will be tears. You have the strength. There is a surviving.
You can go on.