Absence makes... ?

You notice things that are missing from your life when you travel, yes? Your favourite coffee, your morning routine, the prettiest route home... these things are minor in the scheme of things, but are a part of what you look forward to when you think about returning to your home.

But when the absence is that of a person, someone who has died, there is no looking forward to seeing them again any time soon, at least in this lifetime.

Two friends recently met again after decades apart. One had lost her husband just under a decade ago, and one had lost her mother over four decades ago.

They agreed that the feeling of their loved ones' absences was not a matter of the feeling going away after a certain amount of time passing, about 'time healing all', but rather that it was the lack of the loved one's presence in their lives now, today, that caused pain.

Something like "I wish I could share this with you right now. I know you'd love it."

The absence of a loved one, when they have died, is a stressor that never really goes away. Do you agree with this statement, or do you have another perspective to offer? Love to hear your thoughts.