When We Take the Time to Mourn the Loss of a Life

The podcast "A Time of Funerals in the Heart" by Michael Meade taught me a valuable lesson. It made me realize that we can all learn to live side-by-side through the shared purpose of mourning the loss of a life. For it is through taking the time needed to grieve the death of another person that makes us human. It makes us human by allowing us to drop our masks that say all is well. That is, the majority of people want to appear to others as if they are satisfied and happy with their lives. Death puts a halt to the social comparisons.

First, I loved this podcast because I passionately agree with the creator, Michael Meade, that "we truly all are in this together". Death can take one's life at any moment whether because of a car accident or because of a heart attack. Someone somewhere died yesterday, today, and will die tomorrow; yet not always as tragically and angering as the death of George Floyd. I don't understand the lack of care and patience people have while driving a car, which can easily take a life. I don't understand the lack of respect for another person who has loved ones around them just like you and I. Grieving the death of another person helps us realize our fragility and mortality. It allows us to show that we do care for one another despite our arguments and quarrels.

Second, this podcast made me realize that peace doesn't come from an Utopian, totalitarian, or communist formed societies. These political theories arose because the people neglected to take the time to properly mourn the passing on of others. These forms of government have surfaced because the people projected their anger, fear, and denial at both one another and upon leaders, instead of allowing themselves to experience loss. For it is the people who have the responsibility and power to control their destinies even if it could lead to a revolution as a result of oppression.

Next, this podcast made an impression upon me because it allowed me to reflect upon my grandfather's funeral. I was very young at the time, yet can vividly remember his black coffin, riding in the limousine to the cemetery, and the America flag being removed and folded, then, given to my grandmother before the casket was lowered down into the grave. My grandmother now rests next to him in her pink and white coffin. How I yearn to visit their graves back east in Pennsylvania. Do we feel the loss of our loved ones every time transgressions are made against us?

Lastly, I am in tears over the fact that death and life are connected. You can not have one without the other. Michael Meade gave an example of this in the podcast. He mentioned that the remains of deceased people have been found, in caves, with flower seeds placed around them. We are like tree leaves that drop to the ground in the Fall when we die. These leaves then, over time, decompose to provide nutrient, rich soil for new plant life to thrive.

All in all, mourning the death of another person makes us stop social comparisons, which can keep people on the treadmill of always being happy and well, despite hardships and struggles. Mourning another's death whether we know them or not shows our humanity. It tells our elected leaders to be compassionate towards the people. It allows us to feel vulnerable when there are so many reasons in the world that allow us not to be. Mourning another's passing honors our ancestors and humbles the heart.