When words won't come.

I am a man who loves words. Reading them, speaking them, writing them.  Yet lately the words won't come.  I have been on a writing hiatus for the better part of the past month, and I am often left nodding in response to a persons comment, or shrugging, or just hugging my wife.

When a loved one passes, I am guessing, this is common.  And when the passing was more or less unexpected, the loss of words is probably more intense.  People ask me how I'm doing, or how my family is.  We are alive and trying to keep life flowing, with minor moments of uncontrolled crying.  We are trying to live our normal life with out falling into the hole that was left by our loss.  And people around seem to be at a loss as to what to say to us.  This is okay.  Please know that you don't have to say anything.  In fact the words to the following Charlie Peacock song say it best.

Now Is The Time For Tears

Charlie Peacock

Now is the time for tears
Don't speak
Save your words
There's nothing you could say
To take this pain away
Don't try so hard
You can just simply be
Cry with me don't try to fix me friend
That's how you'll comfort me Heavenly Father cover this child with mercy
You are my helper through this time of trial and pain
Silence the lips of the people with all of the answers
Gently show them now is the time
Now is the time
Now is the time for tears 

So if you see me, and I'm not my normal fun and chatty self, know that I am still grieving. And if you see me chatting and acting crazy and having, know that I am still grieving and that tears might follow soon.  Don't be afraid to talk with me, but also don't be afraid to be quiet with me, or to just listen.  Sometimes the words won't come...but that's okay.