Parenting

Elderly parents and relatives are a huge blessing in our lives. They are an integral part of our families as they help pass on tried and tested wisdom, help raise our children, and shower us with unconditional love. But what if that blessing becomes a test?

Living through a pandemic is not an event that every generation will be able to claim.  COIVD-19 has altered our daily lives, filled many of us with fear, has claimed the lives of loved ones, or perhaps caused serious illness.

The concept of family conceived through the first humans Adam and Hawaa, peace be upon them, and through them emerged the rest of mankind. The Quran mentions:

Published in 1999 and co-authored by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen, Tear Soup contains a remarkable recipe for healing after loss - for children aged 8 and above, as well as adults.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “By the One in Whose hands is my soul, the miscarried fetus will drag his mother to paradise by his [umbilical] cord if she was patient [with the miscarriage], hoping to be rewarded.” 

(Ahmad)

My children have had to face more death at their young ages than I ever had to. It’s the will of Allah. I used to think such loss would devastate them, break them into tiny pieces. But I’ve learned that when lovingly supported, children can be incredibly resilient. 

Losing a loved one is one of the major trials of life many of us will encounter. Grief from that loss is a natural reaction that takes a different trajectory for different people.