Five Years On
It is now five years since Laura’s passing. It seems like a significant milestone – many people have expressed how unbelievable it seems that five years have passed. A friend sent me this verse, which sums up God’s faithfulness to us over the past five years:
Fear not, for I am with you;
Isaiah 41:10
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
As I spent time reflecting this week, I was once again reminded that grief is not something you “get over” but continue to work through. The nature of my grief has changed over time… but I still feel the loss of my wife keenly.
I am aware that many people are experiencing grief and loss in these difficult times. It is a tough season for so many people and I continue to realise that grief is such a difficult process and there is no quick-fix remedy. My sincere condolences to everyone who has suffered grief and I pray that God will sustain you in the days, months and years ahead.
Over the past five years I’ve had to find various ways to honour Laura’s memory. In 2017 I started a small fund in memory of Laura which helps us remember the amazing lady she was, as well as continue her legacy. The photo above is of Laura in 2014. The girl in the picture is now supported by the Laura Tucker Legacy Fund to attend an amazing school in Pretoria.
As I continue to work through my own grief, I’ve also found a measure of healing in sharing quite extensively about my own story (although it’s not always easy). I find it encouraging that my story can help other people find courage and hope to face the worst that life can throw at them. The link below is an interview with Jenna Leigh Bilong on her Elevated show. She asked me some great questions… if you have some time to listen, I hope you’ll find it helpful.
Helping others find courage and hope is also why we filmed the Grief and Grace video series earlier this year which features a number of testimonies of people who have walked along the valley of the shadow of death. You can see them here: https://www.message.org.uk/griefandgrace/
So it’s five years on… and on some days it feels like an eternity, while on others, it feels like yesterday. But through the changing phases of grief, I continue to experience God’s grace in “many facets and colours” (Paul Young – The Shack)… and for that I am eternally grateful.
