Losing someone you care about due to death is heartbreaking. Wolterstorff laments his son Eric. Wolterstorff expression upon receiving the news of the death of his son depicts the love he had for his son. Although he was not there during most of his time, Woterstorff took the initiative to narrate his encounter. It is quiet inspirational as he laments the way he will be missing his son. His faith in God comforts him. Ideally, Wolterstorff wrote the lamentation book to assist others gets inspired facing the same predicament. The book is ideal for those who are grieving
Eric died at a tender age during his research he conducted at the mountain. Wolterstorff believes that children are supposed to be the ones to bury their parents not the other way round. The book expresses what a parent goes through when he or she loses a child. Wolterstorf’f took the initiate to demand the body of Eric to pay him his last respects. There is an expression of grieve and comfort. The love that a parent shows to their children tends to sore higher when they lose them. He always lived in the hope of seeing Eric returning home (Wolterstorff, 1987). Wolterstorff wishes that Eric was sick so that he would get even a goodbye from him but the accident had no warning or showed any sign that it will claim the life of his son. The death of his son overwhelms him that he burst into tears. Although the society prohibits men from crying public, Wolterstorff felt that this was too much for him to bear. Wolterstorff notes about the essence of eternity. The Bible teaches about the importance of faith. He believes that his son is in eternity.
Arguably, death strikes without any warning. Woterstorff’s family was got unaware. Wolterstorff took the initiative of informing the family members of the death of his son. Eric’s mother showered depression and disbelieve. This shows the love she had for his son. However, asking God for care and comfort when grieving their son relieves them. God was in their midst. The narrator believes that God’s kingdom was to them, and their tears express his presence. The family asks for God’s redemption. It points out the strength of their faith in God. Their bondage was expressed by the unity they had with the family and their solidarity during sad times.
The stages of grief as coined by Kubler- Ross are applied in the lamentation of Wolterstorff’s son. The first stage implicates the essence of denial. This is witnessed when they mourned Eric's death. Eric's mother was in disbelief, and she insisted on seeing the body of her son. Also, Wolterstorff refused to accept the death of his son. The situation is natural and mourners used it in self-defense. Care should be taken since the denial stage is impulsive. Secondly, anger stage is the bitterness expressed by the bereaved persons. It is the critical stage that cares must be taken (Kübler-Ross & Kessler, 2005). Eric’s parents were angry; they wondered why Eric could go climbing alone. They felt that they should have been part of their son’s journey. Emotional upset is distressful. Woterstorff’s family expressed their love for Eric. However, they were angered by the fact that Eric was still young and had not started a family. Thirdly, the bargaining stage implicates the desperate efforts that are made to make things better. The family opts to try their best to be firm together, despite their loss. They seek to negotiate on a better way to stay united. The implication made suggests the importance of love. It never fades or dies. Eric was loved, and his family felt his departure, depression overcomes the family members. This is the expression of the empty feelings. The bereaved encountered grief that deepens more than ever expected. It is not any form of illness but a firm expression of how one feels to lose someone special. Eric’s family is depressed at the thought of never seeing their son again befalls them. The depression shows the move towards acceptance by the bereaved. It is often experienced as a form of uncertainty, regret, and fear. Wolterstorff' arranges for a requiem for their son. This showed that they are depressed and are on the verge to accepting the departure of their son. Finally, the stage of acceptance depicts the complete acceptance by the bereaved that their beloved one is gone forever. However, they keep them in their hearts. The objectivity and determination indicate the view of reality to accept and move on concerning the death of a loved one. Eric's parents accepted that they had lost their beloved son so soon. They express their acceptance as they visited Eric’s grave to say goodbye to him. They believe in the grace of God that their son rests in eternal peace. According to the gospel of St. Mathew, Jesus also grieved when Lazarus died (Cerfaux, 1960).
Wolterstorff is joyous after the loss of his son. This is depicted since he believed in God. He has faith that his son is in eternity. He is happy because he had taken care of Eric for the last twenty-five years and proud that he had taught him on how to be a strong man and to be self-reliant. Although he feels the loss, Wolterstorff' find comfort that he lived to the dreams of his son. He cherishes the time that he was able to spend with his son during his time on earth.
According to Christians, death is significant since it is the ultimate promotion to glory. Christians believes in life after death. Woterstorff’s family was staunch Christians and believed that Jesus is the savior. Death implies that one goes to heaven and rejoices with God in heaven (Wolterstorff, 1987). Christians believe that if one lives a righteous life, then such a person will have entry to heaven where there is no grieving but rejoicing and praising God only. The hope of resurrection tends to help in mourning of Woterstorff’s son. It is comforting as a Christian to have faith in God. Jesus had resurrected, and Wolterstorff believed that Eric’s resurrection would be when they meet again. According to the Bible, the kingdom of God is self-fulfilling. Christians should have firm faith and believe in God. Wolterstorff is consoled when a requiem was prepared in honor of his son. He is even looking forward to the judgment day so that he may apologize to his son. He realizes that he can only find God in light. Ideally, this point at the extent Wolterstorff believed in God and in the essence of having faith in God.
References
Cerfaux, L. (1960). Apostle and apostolate: According to the Gospel of St. Mathew.
Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2005). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. New York: Scribner.
Wolterstorff, N. (1987). Lament for a son. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
