Don't Ever Forget

When people are faced with an event that causes loss or separation or sadness, or all of the above, inevitably, people around them will try to get their mind off the matter, encouraging them to think of nicer and happier things, in an effort to forget what is causing the sadness. They seem to think "out of mind" will make the matter better. I've never been one to encourage this, or to try to forget myself. We're faced with these situations all the time, ranging from the mild to the enormous, be it leaving friends from high school, friends from college, friends from the hometown, separation from loved ones, moving to a different place, the ending of a relationship, or the loss of a loved one. Initially, it is not a time to move on and forget about the people that have made them feel this way, however much it may hurt. It is also not a time to dwell on how upsetting it is and how sad they are. Rather, it is a time to celebrate the timeless, wondrous, and intimately special memories that have brought on such deep feelings. Deep feelings of loss and sadness only result from memories that were equally wonderful on the other end of the spectrum. And I don't think any of us would give up those. No, it's those kind of memories we wish we had more of, and will cherish the rest of our lives.