Tomb Time

In the Christian tradition Good Friday commemorates the day of crucifixion of Jesus Christ and Easter Sunday commemorates his resurrection. The story tells of suffering and death followed by transformation and glory but the time in between is seldom considered. It does however have many parallels in life. Spring is a time of natural beauty, rich in promise. Brighter days have returned and there is warmth in the air. Across the world farmers sow their fields in the hope of an autumn harvest. The seed is buried in the ground and dies so that new life can spring forth. While we know it’s happening, there’s nothing to be seen until the green shoots appear above ground. When relationships fail the act of separation is often very painful. The emotions experienced can cover the full spectrum from anger, sorrow and remorse to profound relief. The resulting ‘Tomb Time’ is a necessary passage to a new life beyond, though unlike the farm seed there’s unlikely to be a regular time frame for recovery. Seeds are hardy however and wild seeds often lie dormant for many years before germination. Wounded soldiers returning from war suffer from a range of issues. Missing limbs are immediately obvious but not so the psychological trauma resulting from life changing surgery and the loss of fallen comrades. Reintegrating with society and their families can be most difficult. Many don’t make it. It’s a sad fact that more soldiers die by their own hand after returning home than die in battle. In current times Europe is coping with a refugee crisis where millions of displaced persons are seeking safety and the hope of a normal life far from the homes they have known. History has shown that the intense psychological stresses associated with forced migration result in high levels of heart disease. Stress also suppresses the immune system and leaves us more vulnerable to cancer. How might we minimise ‘Tomb Time’? Clearly it would be unnatural not to have it. Indeed, we would be very concerned for any individual who endured a life changing event without showing emotion. In her book ‘On Death and Dying’, Kubler-Ross describes the stages on the journey to recovery. Change takes different times depending on the nature of the transition and the individuals involved but recovery tends to follow a standard path of denial, anger and depression. Perhaps the key consideration for transition in recovery is environment. The farmer prepares his fields before sowing. Heartbroken individuals need a psychological refuge, a place of calm neutrality. Soldiers need the support of family and society. In every case, Love is the common denominator. Since change is a constant of the universe it follows that we will all experience it. Tomb time is a fact of life. This is a central reason why we must act together to provide an environment of empathy and support. We can be sure it’s not a question of ‘if’ misfortune should strike but ‘when’. So let us not show indifference toward others who find themselves in distress; our day is coming. As we sow, so shall we reap.