Monday, April 23, 2012

The Neighbour

Last night our next door neighbour died in a car accident.
Within 30 minutes, it seemed, the community knew and supported the family in whatever way they saw fit - money donations, making chai, or just going round and being with the family to grieve as soon as they heard.

Apparently he was a lovely man, the father in law to one of our mission staff.
He was riding on his motorbike and hit by another car, he died instantly.
Since then all we have heard is the family mourning. All through the night we have heard, crying, wailing, screaming and shouting.  It literally brings the reality of the situation home to us. There’s none of that British "putting on a brave face" stuff.  Death seems all too common here; In fact it is such a reality people live with that they don’t seem to fear it like we do. Nor are they shocked by it.

Although it's uncomfortable for us to hear the cries, I think it is right that people scream at the top of their voices for as long as they need to, having complete freedom to express their grief. I know if we acted like this in our culture people would say we have lost it. But really, what is worse than the death of a loved one, and, in a time of mourning what is a more appropriate thing to do than wail and cry and scream?

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