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A friend of mine died this past week after a year of being in the hospital with little awareness of who he is or who those were around him. I wish there a word that expressed the profound sadness of losing a person you love and at the same time a recognition that his passing is a blessing. I get irritated when I hear people say, "it's a blessing." or words to that effect. They are correct, Yes, it is a blessing, but it is also a tragedy and that needs to be expressed as well. The only word I can think of is "Mixed blessing." But that gives equal weight to the fact that he's gone and the sadness that one feels because he is gone. I think the weight should be in the other direction i.e., express the profound sadness as the primary emotion and then an acknowledgement that given the circumstances it is a blessing.
Any suggestions welcomed
(Not a suggestion for you, but a personal comment) I am sorry for you and all touched by this kind of death, and who bear the circumstances leading up to it. In our house, we are caring for my mother-in-law, 95. She has dementia, and has been living with us for seven years. We mourned her loss a few years ago, even though she is still with us, and my wife cares for her lovingly on a daily basis.
I will give your question some thought.
Bittersweet may go the wrong direction for you.
I second Glenn's sympathy for you and want to express my sympathy to him for his loss even though it is not total yet. My family lost our mother about 7 years ago, but she has only been in the cemetery about 3 years. I admit using, "It was a blessing" at the time with nothing better to offer then. However, it did express the most recent emotion following several years after starting the feeling of loss.
God Bless You Both.
Emmett
My condolences.
I don't know if this is the word that you are looking for, but the one that came to my mind right away was release. The release from the prolonged pain to the survivors is only part. The metaphysical release is the spirit hatching out of the body into its spiritual glory. Unfortunately being on this side of that release, many of us put all sorts of connotations on it which are colored by the fear of death. If you listen to the people who are terminal patients, and have accepted their mortality, they lose many of those connotations and look on it as a rebirth.
Phil
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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