A Friend's Loss

Our good friend Ms. Cornelius of A Shrewdness of Apes has just lost her father due to illness. Even though we all know that dying is part of living, I don't think that there is anything that can really prepare us to cope with the devastating loss of a beloved parent or child.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.

Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

John Donne

We'll remember Ms. Cornelius in our thoughts and prayers. -----------------------------See our latest education-related posts right here.