Celestial mediators

The death of a child I've been told is the deepest form of pain. We are born, we grow and when we have children we hope that they in turn live long to be present at our last rites when we pass from this life.

Unfortunately, accidents, illnesses and other calamities do happen to children, leaving parents and siblings feeling hollow; wondering what they could have done to prevent the death, and blaming themselves for their loss.

The recent passing away of two little angels, Nathan and Chelsea, has deeply saddened not just their parents and their relatives but the community as a whole because they were here one evening and gone at such speed that it has left everyone in shock.

At times like these it's easy to apportion blame. The alleged poor hygiene of a restaurant, the alleged negligence of a doctor at a hospital, the alleged laxity of health inspections…. Until we have answers no one will be sure… but meanwhile a very bereaved family must go on, and love and patience will be the key to the next steps.

Blame or self-guilt will not fill the void… affection and understanding certainly will.

We feel your grief and we send you our love and prayers.

While on the subject of pain, I must share a very important lesson in faith that a colleague recently provided me.

He and his wife had just recently lost their child to leukaemia and yet he was at work looking and behaving as normal. While I condoled him at his loss I dared to ask (for my understanding) how he and his wife were coping with their grief and he answered: “We're fine. It was very painful when our child passed away, but then we were reminded that children who go to heaven continually intercede with God so their parents will never be sent to hell.

“Faith keeps us going.''

I walked away from that conversation with a profound respect for all parents who have lost a child. The pain is real but they can all be assured that when the time comes their place in heaven is secured by the prayers of their little ones.