Trigger points and sweet hymns to give comfort

Trigger points come when least expected. They can surprise you and seem to come out of nowhere. 

In my GriefShare group, we have talked about trigger points and have shared stories from seemingly non-important moments that have triggered an expression of grief. 

Tonight was the opening night of Our Town, put on by the high school students of Black Forest Academy. I remember seeing this play when I was young. My aunt, Joanie, purchased tickets for our family to see Our Town at the Children's Theater in Minneapolis. I don't remember the first two acts but do remember the third act where members of the cast are sitting in chairs to symbolize that they are dead and in the graveyard. They have conversations about their past lives while starring straight ahead. I was confused and asked my aunt what was going on and at the time, thought this was strange. 

The Sunday before my dad passed away was a good day. It had been a rough weekend as I found out on Friday night that he was in Comfort Care. Sunday, he had a good meal, my brother, Nathan and his wife, Jen, were with my dad and listened to a sermon, my dad's pastor came, my dad's brothers, Ben and David came to visit. Together, they had a time of prayer, communion and sang "Blest be the tie that Binds." There were many more visitors that day. Even though my dad was struggling to breathe, he insisted on praying for those who came to visit him. He passed away the next day, Monday evening. 

During the graveyard scene in the play, Emily has just died and her family who are still alive come to bury her and hold the service in the graveyard. They began to softly sing, Blessed be the tie that Binds and I felt my heart break all over again. 

Blest be the tie that binds

our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne

we pour our ardent prayers; 

our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 

our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes, 

our mutual burdens bear, 

and often for each other flows

the sympathizing tear.

When we are called to part, 

it gives us inward pain;

but we shall be joined in heart, 

and hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives

our courage by the way;

while each in expectation lives

and waits to see the day.

From sorrow, toil, and pain, 

and sin, we shall be free;

and perfect love and friendship reign

through all eternity.