The Revelation
By Hannah Deady Tomsik
We look upon our neighbor in his grief,
And wonder how he bears the bitter pain.
In our weak way, we try to give relief;
We try to help and comfort, but in vain.
We see him lay the dear ones in the dust,
And bravely struggle on along life’s way;
We marvel at his loyalty and trust,
And that he still can toil and pray.
We pray with throbbing hearts and bated breath: –
“Oh! spare me Lord such sacrifice, such pain!
To see my loved ones lying cold in death,
I could not bear — though they shall live again!”
Yet, bowed beneath the Cross and left alone —
When death takes all that makes life’s living sweet,
We feel God’s hand clasped close within our own,
And love and understanding is complete.
(1921)
It has been my personal experience that in such times as written about in this poem, Heavenly Father rarely if ever answers the “why?” questions, but He does put an arm around you and love you in a way that nourishes one’s spirit better than all the answers to the “why?” questions. Eventually, when you can listen a little better, the answers may come.
As far as the “try to help and comfort” . . . I know some of you might not like this comment, but it is also my experience that the entire ward turns out to comfort the woman and the children, while the man is slowly pushed against the wall, forgotten, to make room for everyone comforting the wife and children. Let us not forget to comfort the husband, too.