Aunt Wilma’s Coping Mechanism!

I have been very fortunate in my life to have wonderful relatives. My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have all been wonderful. I have learned from every one of them! Today I want to share with you, my Dear Readers,  how one of my aunts has helped me get through the deaths of relatives and close friends!

The relative I am celebrating today is my very beloved Aunt Wilma Harder!

Aunt Wilma was the ideal Christian. Everyone who knew her thought she was a saint. She was married to my father’s youngest brother, Fuzz Harder. Aunt Wilma and Uncle Fuzz had 2 sons, John and Glen. Glen was killed in an automobile accident when he was only 17 years old. It devastated our whole family. We were all shattered by such a loss. The bravest member of our family was Aunt Wilma, a registered nurse who devised a coping strategy which I wish every person in the world knew.

Aunt Wilma told my mother her coping strategy and Mother shared it with me and now I want to share it with each of my readers. So here is Aunt Wilma’s strategy about coping with the loss of a very dearly loved son.

Every morning when Aunt Wilma got up she would think of possible lovely experiences Glen could enjoy in Heaven that day.  For instance, she would ask herself, “Was today the day Glen would meet Abraham Lincoln or George Washington or Thomas Jefferson? Was Glen going to meet a famous basketball player or football player today? Was today the day Glen would meet Beethoven and hear him play the organ in Heaven? The list of possibilities was infinite and beautiful. While she directed her focus to lovely adventures for Glen to enjoy, she focused on the beauty and grandeur of Heaven and how much Glen would enjoy them and be blissfully happy. How much better to focus on what her beloved son could enjoy rather than dwell on her own sorrow. What a beautiful strategy!

Thank you, Aunt Wilma! I love you!

I love you, too, Readers.

Until next time, I remain with love,

Your friend Hope