I went to lunch with my friend, K, yesterday. She works for the same company, but is lucky to have off this entire week, so we planned lunch for yesterday.
Last week, I posted about my co-worker's son who passed away after losing his battle with AML. Calling hours were yesterday and the funeral is today. Our group is carpooling to the funeral this morning.
K knows this co-worker and made a point to say she refuses to go to calling hours or the funeral because attending a funeral for a child is "not her thing." She isn't the first one to make a such a comment. I have heard similar ones.
Well, really, then what is "your thing?" It drives me insane when people make these comments and I don't understand why this is acceptable. Seriously... I can't think of anyone who enjoys going to calling hours/funerals. I get it, it's especially awful when it's for a child. But get over it already. It's a part of life and it's about paying your respect and being supportive to the people you care about who are going through an extremely difficult time. Especially in this case. I cannot possibly imagine what it is like to lose a child... I hope I never find myself in that situation. But the reality is that some people do and it's the support of family and friends that helps get them through it. For just a few minutes think about THAT instead of simply saying it's "not your thing" to attend calling hours/funerals.
I can't imagine someone saying that a funeral was "not their thing", much less a child's funeral. What a horrible situation. You're right- funerals aren't in any way enjoyable, but you attend to show your support for the family and the life they have lost. I'll be thinking of you on this hard day.
ReplyDeleteYou tell em' lady! Thats ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 14, we lost a really close family friend, he was 17 at the time. It was such a hard thing for me, at the funeral, I was crying uncontrollably, my heart ached for the longest time. Shortly after, my grandmother passed away and I was completely numb, I dont remember crying as hard for her as I did for Peter. Ever since then, Ive stayed away from calling hours and funerals, I think Im too scared to show that much emotion and to allow myself to feel that much pain again all in one sitting. I have never looked at it the way that you just put as in, I need to be more supportive of people in their hard times, that its not about me. Anyways, I just feel like the girl who said its "not her thing" may have went through something similar and probably doesnt wanna revisit that moment.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDelete