FRAZIER: Hope brings better days amid times of grief

Published 4:00 am Saturday, November 27, 2021

One of the hardest things a parent can experience is their child’s heartache.

On, Thursday while at my parent’s house for Thanksgiving, my youngest daughter got a call that her dog had been struck by a car and killed. The pain she displayed tore open my soul, and I knew there was nothing I could do to take it away.

But like all parents, if I could have, I would have done it gladly.

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As she sobbed, buckets of tears fell from her green eyes. They fell from mine too.

Leo had been a rescue puppy. And what a lucky dog he was to have been adopted by my baby girl, because for his two short years, she gave Leo more love than some dogs receive in a lifetime.

One of the beautiful characteristics my daughter possesses is that described of the character Sethe in Toni Morrison’s novel, “Beloved.” She loves “thick.”

Heartache and sadness from death, whether it is that of a loved one, a relationship, a dream or a pet, is unavoidable in this life. But day by day, grief will subside, and a glimmer of light will begin to shine at the end of the tunnel.

This light is hope — hope for better days.

Tomorrow, Christians around the world will begin the season of Advent, which is a period of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ.

In observance of the Advent season, on each of the four Sundays before Christmas, a candle is lit.

The first candle represents hope. Having hope is important. It is a healer and a motivator. Hope can also bring inner peace. Can you imagine a world without hope?

When times of grief overwhelm and you are trapped in the dark abyss of the tunnel, there would be no end in sight. No light. No hope.

But there is hope in the world and better days will eventually arrive. It may take some time, but they do come.

I know this day will come for my daughter.

Her spirit will begin to become less heavy, and her future will have hope.

And I know this day will come for you, too.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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