Moenie mense wat rou aanjaag nie

Kindness makes a person attractive. If you would win the world, melt it, do not hammer it. —Alexander MacLaren

Moenie mense wat rou aanjaag nie

Rick en Kay Warren se seun, Matthew, het ‘n jaar gelede selfmoord gepleeg. Sy het sterk gevoelens oor mense wat dit goed bedoel, maar wat dikwels baie onsensitiewe opmerkings maak. Ongelukkig is dit nie die uitsondering nie. Saddleback Kerk het dan ook as gasheer opgetree vir die Gathering on Mental Health and the Church. Hulle seun het sy hele lewe lank met ‘n geestesongesteldheid gesukkel. Hier is wat Kay Warren geskryf het:

As the one-year anniversary of Matthew’s death approaches, I have been shocked by some subtle and not-so-subtle comments indicating that perhaps I should be ready to “move on.” The soft, compassionate cocoon that has enveloped us for the last 11 1/2 months had lulled me into believing others would be patient with us on our grief journey, and while I’m sure many will read this and quickly say “Take all the time you need,” I’m increasingly aware that the cocoon may be in the process of collapsing. It’s understandable when you take a step back. I mean, life goes on. The thousands who supported us in the aftermath of Matthew’s suicide wept and mourned with us, prayed passionately for us, and sent an unbelievable volume of cards, letters, emails, texts, phone calls, and gifts. The support was utterly amazing. But for most, life never stopped – their world didn’t grind to a horrific, catastrophic halt on April 5, 2013. In fact, their lives have kept moving steadily forward with tasks, routines, work, kids, leisure, plans, dreams, goals etc. LIFE GOES ON. And some of them are ready for us to go on too.

Wees baie versigtig wat jy vir mense wat rou, sê. Moet nooit sê: “Ruk jou reg – die lewe gaan aan,” nie. Gee hulle tyd en ruimte om te rou.