We feel your pain and loss

THE EDITOR: An open letter to all suffering families from acts of violence and terrible accidents.

I write on behalf of myself and many others who feel your pain, your grief, your loss, your sorrow. You who have lost the father of your young children; you who have lost your youthful sons, through heartless violence; you who have lost your mother through senseless killing because of jealousy; we sense your anger, your pain, your helplessness. You whose loved ones have been kidnapped, sometimes before your very eyes; we feel the terror, the trauma, the stress you experienced during that time. We empathise with you. You who have lost your child/children, husband, in road accidents through reckless driving; we feel your loss, your grief.

You who have lost your little ones by fire, by drowning, we feel your grief for the young lives that came to an abrupt end. We know how you are hurting. We wish that we could make up for your loss but we can only offer you comfort, sympathy, consolation and hope. Hope in the knowledge that God who sees all, will show you His tender love and care by the people whom He will send to you to help you materially, emotionally and physically. Do not harbour revenge. God loves you and we care. We pray for healing for you when you cannot pray. We pray for an end to all of this.

JOAN ELDER
Valsayn