As I stare at the keyboard trying to write this months article that so many people tell me they enjoy and read every issue, I am overwhelmed with a personal loss and tragedy that is causing a “writers block”. So I decided to take this opportunity to thank all our friends, customers, competitors and even strangers who have showed an outpouring of love to my family and business over the loss of my daughter, Elizabeth Ann. She passed away June 21, 2009, fathers day night. Elizabeth was very well known at Reliable as she was one of our customer service reps and spoke to many of you everyday, booking service appointments and dealing with the everyday issues that come up in this sometimes-hectic business. She is missed and our lives will never be the same without her. Hundreds of people came to the funeral home to comfort us at our time of loss and the crowd at the church was a standing room only affair as hundreds more showed up to pay their respects to Elizabeth, who would have been 21 this August. This is really the topic I want to discuss here this month. The multitude of people who showed the courage and strength to show up in person and look us in the eye and hug our necks have no idea how much they helped myself, her mother, and my son in this horrible time of loss. There were times in the past when I should have gone to show my support and love when such loss occurs in someone’s life, but I did not go fearing what to say and what to do that could help ease the pain. Now that I have been on the other side of that receiving line of mourners, I can tell you it does not matter what you say or do, but rather that you just hug and comfort someone in their time of loss and show that you care and love. I know everyone does not know what to say and that is ok. Just a simple “sorry for your loss” is all that needs to be said. A hug and a look one in the eye is also so comforting, you would not believe. A number of people had personal stories of their own loss and how they overcame it that was very comforting. The afternoon of the first viewing of my precious baby girl, I had dreaded the time I thought would be a huge painful experience, but instead this time and the next day’s viewing became a few very short hours of that first week when by heart and soul did not ache beyond belief and that was only because of all of the brave and loving people who came and shared their stories of love and of how my daughter had touched their lives. You never know how one impacts the lives of others until something like this happens. I had a people call me after the funeral and tell me they did not come to the viewing or funeral because they were “not good with funerals and they do not know what to say” at these times of loss. If at all possible, put this discomfort aside and just come and hug and show support. If you only knew how much that helped one hurting so, I think you would come. Thank you all once again for all the flowers, cards, food, support and love you have all showered on us. Dan Jape
