In writing this account, I hope to encourage those "walking through the valley of the shadow of death." Although this psalm is usually linked with physical death, I have come to realize there are many types of "death" that are often discounted or ignored. The feelings in any event are real, and the grieving process is just that-a process that must be lived day by day. The time involved is, of course, an individual thing, and there can be no set limits.

One aspect of my job duties was to familiarize employees or family members about death benefits. My experiences with survivors taught me that as varied and different as people are in their own situation so is their course of healing. I have also learned that the evidence of God's faithfulness and love abound even when walking through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23). As I learned to enter His rest and follow His leading the reality of His comforting Presence was magnified and became more apparent. And just as the Hebrew children learned to recognize the reality His presence in the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21) I learned to recognize His Presence in the grace and provision He made possible along the way. I just had to be willing to see and look to Him in hope.

Therefore, the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed [happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him, [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (Isaiah 30:18)