After The Screaming

                                        If you

cannot

stand

the

screaming,

get out

of

the

way.

You cannot

resurrect

my

dead child.

I cannot

smile

for

you.

I can

only

smile

after

the

screaming.

It seems important to understand that any encounter with a grieving person is unsatisfying. This is so because neither party can give the other what he or she wants. We do not have the power to give back what has been lost, and the grieving person cannot give us the smile and assurance that our help has made everything all right. The greater the loss, the longer this will be true. However, over time our assistance does help. It is analogous to applying salve to a wound. The salve will not magically heal, but over time the salve, plus the healing power of the body, will at some point heal the wound.