Can I ask a question? If a plane experienced pressure loss and you were traveling with your child (assume they are infant/toddler age) and the masks dropped... would you put a mask on yourself first? I had a discussion with someone regarding life challenges and this analogy was used by them saying "you know what they say in the safety briefing before a flight - put your mask on first and then assist your children". I just think this sounds textbook - meaning - it sounds logical but not coming from someone who has lived through it? How many of us would immediately assist our child without thinking of ourselves? I look at parents and see them helping their kids first. This is what we do. It is difficult to somehow do something that is counter intuitive.
When Jan died I was exposed to a widow/widower group online. They would use the phrase of "new normal" to describe life after the passing of their spouse. I'm sure for many the loss of a loved one is traumatic. It forcibly changes someone like a rock that is smashed into smaller parts. I was told that "Time heals all wounds". I personally don't believe this. I believe love heals all wounds. I read of near-death experiences of how individuals who were technically dead for a period of time and later revived told stories of feeling genuine love and not wanting to leave. Each of these stories came from individuals who were of different faiths. They were explained away by scientists due to oxygen deprivation to the brain and hallucinations that could have been caused by that state. I find it interesting that regardless of a person's faith or belief system many reported seeing their loved ones during that time in different locations ... they could explain what was happening or what was being said. These are things that for me bring doubt to the experts doubt in an afterlife. I am encouraged that the first thing we get to experience after death is love. Love that heals, encourages, and brings happiness. Who doesn't want this? Perhaps that is why some of those near-death experiences the person shared that they had the opportunity to stay or "go back" and it was a tough decision for them. Who knows if we all get a choice or if it is just "our time to go". I just think God must love us a lot for the very first thing we experience after death is a feeling of unconditional love.
