Grief and pain are real. Loss is real. Like Jesus, we want to -- we must -- be compassionate toward those who are hurting and who are feeling deep loss. Yet, we also gently encourage each other to not grieve without hope, to remember to keep living because, truly, the best is yet to come.

This life can be challenging, difficult, and downright painful. There is beauty to enjoy and to celebrate, and one day, the veil will be pulled back and the unfiltered light of God's grace and love will be ours... forever. We rejoice in the presence that the faithful departed are now enjoying. We can also rejoice that, one day, it will be our peace as well.