Blog 3724- 01.21.2026

“So Sorry For Your Loss”

It is a phrase that we have all heard and used attempting to convey our sympathy for those who like ourselves have experienced the heartbreak of the loss of family and friends to death. It may seem inadequate and somewhat perfunctory, yet acknowledging someone else’s loss and identifying with them in this shared human tragedy is not a small thing.

I recall the lyrics of a song that I learned in church as a boy, “Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.” I no longer consider myself a Christian but, I still consider myself a child of the Universe and a brother. I have known the loss of a mother and a father, grand parents, most of my aunts and uncles, several cousins, many close friends and even my daughter. Each loss hit me hard as all such losses do.

At the time we are temped to think as the ole song laments, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen nobody knows my sorrow.” But that just is not true most everyone has known the terrible loss of a loved one and if you stick around very long you realize that death, parting, and loss are very real part of life. People are forever coming and going. We can only endeavor to enjoy them for the time we have with them and learn to lean upon one another sharing our losses as well as our triumphs.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David James White

If I Could

If I Could