Condolences

It is very very difficult to lose a relative, be it sibling/parent/spouse. It is even more difficult to render condolences. Yet when we do, we emerge as stronger persons. I met a friend who happened to work with me in my previous school this noon. She had lost her husband. I was quite upset to learn that many of our ex-colleagues had not bothered to meet or talk to her. I felt sad for those petty people. In times of grief should we not put aside our personal differences? Is not life too short to keep grievances?