10 Uplifting Quotes To Help You Cope After Loss
Last month, my father-in-law unexpectedly passed away at the age of 65. Today would have been his 66th birthday.
When we received the news, my heart sank, and I was at a loss for words. He was truly the only father figure I ever had. He treated me like his own, with so much love and care. Not only was he a great dad, but he was an incredible grandfather as well. I’ll always miss our Giants-Eagles rivalry games, and his excitement when FaceTiming with his grandsons. It breaks my heart that they won’t see him anymore.
They say there’s no right way to grieve, and grief has no timeline. What I know for sure is that it didn’t hit me until we arrived at the church, after the viewing and funeral services, that he was really gone. In that moment, I cried uncontrollably, battling Jersey’s horrible spring allergies. That was my final goodbye to him, and it hurt deeply. I will miss him so much.
Afterward, our family and close friends gathered for lunch at a nearby restaurant. My brother, who I lovingly call “the jokester,” made a funny yet truthful comment about a painting on the wall. The picture, set in the late 1800s/early 1900s, showed people dressed in wool jackets, either walking on the sand or riding in a horse and buggy. The scene looked uncomfortable—people fully covered in clothing, surrounded by horse droppings. My brother jokingly asked, “Who thought it was a good idea to put a picture of people on a beach wearing wool with horse poop everywhere?” I laughed so hard I cried. I said to him, “That’s the kind of comment Dad would’ve laughed at.”
In a strange way, I needed to hear that joke. It was a reminder to smile—even in the midst of grief. After I caught my breath, I looked around and saw that I was surrounded by my supportive family and loving friends. It had been a hard week—breaking the news, making funeral arrangements—but these people were there for us every step of the way. I will never forget all the kind, uplifting, and inspirational words they sent our way to help us through this difficult time.
Words are powerful. They can influence us in ways we don’t always realize. In moments of grief, positive words can lift our spirits and give us strength. When life gets tough, I turn to quotes to remind myself that I’ll be OK, no matter what I’m facing. I did the same as I navigated my father-in-law’s passing.
If you’re struggling with the loss of someone dear, I hope these quotes can offer some comfort as they did for me. And though the pain may feel unbearable at times, take comfort in knowing that the love we shared with our loved ones lives on in our hearts.
Rest in peace, Dad. You will always be missed, but never forgotten.
