In the past fifteen to twenty years, many novels have family members immediately referring to a recently deceased loved one in the past tense, as in “I loved him” instead of “I love him.” This irritates me.
Even an expected death of someone who has been seriously ill takes a while to sink in -– not just a few minutes. Yes, you know they’re gone and also know that there is nothing you can do to bring them back, but your heart and spirit are screaming “NO!” and you have to make an effort to reconcile their death with the moment. It does not happen immediately. Nor does it happen in a few days or weeks or months. Nor even years . . .
However, love does not die. Love continues to live.
My father has been gone for fifty years. I still love him. I didn’t quit loving him because he died. Nor did I quit loving him because a certain amount of time had passed. I love him as much now as I did when I was a child.
I didn’t stop loving my dear Greg when he departed this life 14 August 2019. I love him as much as I always did -– my love for Greg didn’t die, it continues, and will for the rest of my life.
Love doesn’t die. Love is eternal.
