5 -First Calling Hours

 Grief Experiences Todd's Death (Part 5) By Kay Heitsch

Something strange started to happen to me at the funeral home. I found myself feeling like a comforter.

These teenagers cared, and many said that Todd was their friend. This made my heart happy. I invited them over to our home. Several expressed that Todd told them I was easy to talk to.

Andrew, a cross-country friend, asked if he could put some cross-country medals in the casket. Andrew explained that he knew he could win more medals, and Todd wouldn't be able to. This act of love touched my broken heart.

I was surprised many people came, as we hadn't lived in Dover that long. I didn't know who all these people were. We were not Christians, and we didn't even belong to a church.

One man stood in the back of the room, sobbing. I didn't know him, but later found out his son had died, and he was trying to show his respect. We became friends when his other son also died, and I was able to be there for him.

People wonder what you should say to a grieving person. Seriously, you don't need to say a word. I felt comfort and love from people who just slightly squeezed my hand. It's the being there that says it all.

These first calling hours were another step in helping me accept this tragedy.

However, I could not get the thought, "Where is Todd?" out of my mind.