Forever grateful for care and compassion

It is safe to say that everyone has experienced a sense of loss in their life. For some, this loss is the passing of a loved one — a family member, close friend or even a beloved pet. There are also those who have experienced the heartache of losing something special, like a family heirloom or childhood keepsake. While each of these is different, every instance of loss brings with it feelings of grief and often panic. The truth is, in almost every situation, loss impacts a person’s daily life. 

For Bob Hooker, his journey with loss began with the passing of his wife, Sherry, after she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of ovarian cancer. For 18 months, Bob was filled with emotions ranging from fear and panic to anguish and grief as he watched Sherry fight for her life. It was the most terrifying and heartbreaking situation that he had ever experienced.

Yet, as painful as loss can be, he believes that acknowledging positive feelings can help us in our most difficult moments. In his case, this was gratitude.

“By no means do these feelings erase the sorrow caused by loss, nor do they fill any kind of void left behind, but they can give us the courage and strength needed to keep moving,” he says.

Grieving with gratitude may sound like an oxymoron, but such a sentiment has allowed Bob to celebrate Sherry’s life rather than focus on her absence. It has also enabled him to look past the darkest moments of those 18 months and cherish the time that they were fortunate to spend together.