Life is flavoured with gains and losses. Because life is so frail and ephemeral, we should savour it; spend time with our loved ones, enjoy them and not waste time with anger and disappointments. If we have never lost, how do we appreciate the love we have?
I have never known either of my grandfathers; my paternal grandpa died when my dad was a child and my maternal grandpa a couple of years before I was born. The only memento I have of my paternal grandpa is my father and, morbid as it is, my grandfather's grave. I don't know what he looked like; they were poor and had no means of getting photographed for posterity. There was little story regarding him except that he had had several wives in succession and he was really old (in his seventies) when my father was born.
As for my maternal grandpa, I have photographs(none in my keeping) and stories of a big man, both in stature and heart. He was trained as a scholar but left his home in Java for a better life, even if it was back-breaking. He was gruff and kind, strict and gentle. I envied my sister for her tales of sitting on his lap with him telling her Javanese fairy-tales and how he would smile as she chattered on to him.
Thus, I too, envy you for your memories of your grandpa. I think it's lovely that you have such happy memories of him. Missing him is natural, and evidence of your love for him. That is what stays with you, even if he is physically no more.
I understand your difficulty in understanding and accepting a Creator who would give and yet take away, not to mention the mysterious cosmic plan that seems cruel and senseless. But do consider that with gifts such as health, wealth and people (family & friends) to enjoy, there must be thankfulness. It doesn't come randomly; otherwise everyone who smokes would be stricken with cancer. Gifts and losses are necessary for us grow as a person, to be better and to continue to give to other people in thankfulness of what we do have.
As to the afterlife, it depends on what spiritual world view one holds to. Are we here simply to occupy space and spend time aimlessly? What is the point of existance? Worst case scenario would be contemplation that leads to the suicidal bear to blow the stuffing out of his head. But is it possible that we are here to, perhaps, touch someone in a positive manner and inject some positive energy in this world? And for someone who touches other lives every day in a positive manner the way you do, darling Vee, (not to mention your gifts of fics that you so very generously share with us), there is no shortage of positive energy that you exude, even during the days when things look so bleak.
Bleakness will fade, sweet Vee. Just hold on to the happy memories and when you next have some ouzo, lift a drink for your grandpa. I'm sure he would want you to recall him with joy and fondness.
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I have never known either of my grandfathers; my paternal grandpa died when my dad was a child and my maternal grandpa a couple of years before I was born. The only memento I have of my paternal grandpa is my father and, morbid as it is, my grandfather's grave. I don't know what he looked like; they were poor and had no means of getting photographed for posterity. There was little story regarding him except that he had had several wives in succession and he was really old (in his seventies) when my father was born.
As for my maternal grandpa, I have photographs(none in my keeping) and stories of a big man, both in stature and heart. He was trained as a scholar but left his home in Java for a better life, even if it was back-breaking. He was gruff and kind, strict and gentle. I envied my sister for her tales of sitting on his lap with him telling her Javanese fairy-tales and how he would smile as she chattered on to him.
Thus, I too, envy you for your memories of your grandpa. I think it's lovely that you have such happy memories of him. Missing him is natural, and evidence of your love for him. That is what stays with you, even if he is physically no more.
I understand your difficulty in understanding and accepting a Creator who would give and yet take away, not to mention the mysterious cosmic plan that seems cruel and senseless. But do consider that with gifts such as health, wealth and people (family & friends) to enjoy, there must be thankfulness. It doesn't come randomly; otherwise everyone who smokes would be stricken with cancer. Gifts and losses are necessary for us grow as a person, to be better and to continue to give to other people in thankfulness of what we do have.
As to the afterlife, it depends on what spiritual world view one holds to. Are we here simply to occupy space and spend time aimlessly? What is the point of existance? Worst case scenario would be contemplation that leads to the suicidal bear to blow the stuffing out of his head. But is it possible that we are here to, perhaps, touch someone in a positive manner and inject some positive energy in this world? And for someone who touches other lives every day in a positive manner the way you do, darling Vee, (not to mention your gifts of fics that you so very generously share with us), there is no shortage of positive energy that you exude, even during the days when things look so bleak.
Bleakness will fade, sweet Vee. Just hold on to the happy memories and when you next have some ouzo, lift a drink for your grandpa. I'm sure he would want you to recall him with joy and fondness.
*hugs Vee*