The comfort of community

I realized yesterday just how incredibly blessed I am.  I am surrounded by women who understand my pain and with whom I feel an incredible bond of sisterhood and community.  I am devastated for each one of them that they know what it is like to be a bereaved mother, but I am so glad to have that.

At church yesterday we talked about our women's group and things we can do for each other to help each other feel like we belong.  The president of the group said that she had talked to several women and they said they felt like they didn't belong and it broke her heart and so we had a group discussion on what we can do to be welcoming.

So I raised my hand to comment...I've felt very alone at church before (before we moved into this particular ward, but it happened).  So I mentioned that whatever the problem, whether it be loss of some sort, or an acute illness (we have several cancer survivors), or divorce or what have you, NOT to remain silent.  There are many times when one doesn't know what to say, but that's okay.  You don't have to be able to FIX the problem, just let them know you care (without pretending the problem doesn't exist).

Afterward I had several women come up and tell me that they definitely agreed with that.  Some I had known had lost children from earlier discussions.  Some I didn't know had.  Some hadn't, but wanted to give me a hug anyway.

I am so blessed by my community situation.  Sometimes when I'm feeling my most alone, I'm surprised by a friendly smile and a sisterly hug and I appreciate it so very very much.