We all lose somebody we care about and want to find some

Hear now the words of Mitch Albom, whose reflections on the human condition touch upon one of life’s deepest truths: "We all lose somebody we care about and want to find some comforting way of dealing with it, something that will give us a little closure, a little peace." In these words, Albom speaks of the universal experience of loss, a journey that all must eventually face. To lose someone we care about—whether through death, separation, or change—is one of the most profound experiences in life. In this moment of pain and grief, we seek not just an end to the suffering but a way to find peace, a closure that allows us to carry on with life while honoring the memory of those we’ve lost. This quest for comfort in the wake of loss is as old as humanity itself, and the desire for peace in the face of grief is a fundamental aspect of our shared journey.

In the ancient world, the Greeks had a deep understanding of the complexity of grief. In their tragedies, such as those penned by Sophocles and Euripides, the heroes often experienced immense loss and struggled with the absence of loved ones. Antigone, one of Sophocles' most famous heroines, faces the death of her brother and the consequences of burying him against the king’s orders. In her actions, we see the human desire for closure—to honor the memory of the lost and to find peace in a world that can feel chaotic and unjust. The ancient Greeks knew that loss could tear apart the fabric of the soul, but they also believed that honoring the dead through rituals, memories, and actions could restore a sense of peace to the living.

Similarly, the Romans also grappled with the question of how to deal with loss, particularly through their concept of virtue and honor. Cicero, the great Roman philosopher, often wrote about the importance of enduring loss with dignity and strength. In his letters to his friend Atticus, Cicero reflected on the death of his daughter Tullia, expressing both his profound sorrow and his belief that true peace could only come by accepting the inevitable nature of death. The Romans viewed grief as a natural part of life, and the way one dealt with it—whether through stoicism, ritual, or remembrance—was a measure of one’s character. Cicero’s wisdom reminds us that finding closure is not about escaping grief, but about finding a way to live with it, and to allow it to shape us rather than define us.

Consider the story of King David, whose grief over the loss of his beloved son Absalom is one of the most poignant expressions of sorrow in biblical history. In 2 Samuel, we see David’s profound mourning, which brings him to the very brink of despair. His cry—"O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you!"—echoes the heartache that comes when we lose someone we deeply care about. Yet, even in the depths of his mourning, David ultimately finds a way to move forward, to continue leading and fulfilling his role as king. His journey, like Albom’s reflection, speaks to the need to find peace and closure in the face of loss. David does not forget his son, but he learns to honor his memory while carrying on with life, a poignant lesson for all who have experienced profound loss.

The desire for closure and peace after loss is not just an ancient concern, but a deeply human one that continues to this day. Albom’s words resonate in the modern world, where grief often feels intensified by the pressures of life and the pace of modern existence. Yet, like the ancients, we must find our own way of dealing with grief—whether through rituals, remembrance, or reconciliation. For many, it is not about forgetting or moving on quickly, but about learning to live with the pain and finding a way to make peace with it. Just as Albom reflects, we all want something to soothe the wound of loss, to give us a sense of comfort, and to restore the balance that grief disrupts in our lives.

The lesson here is one of acceptance and understanding. Loss is inevitable, and the desire for closure is natural, but the path to peace does not lie in trying to erase or avoid the pain, but in learning how to navigate it. The ancients and modern thinkers alike offer us wisdom on how to cope with loss—not by escaping it, but by embracing the journey of grief with courage and resilience. We must give ourselves the space to mourn, to reflect, and to honor those who have gone, but we must also learn to move forward and find peace in the process. Albom’s words remind us that closure is not a destination, but a journey—a journey that ultimately leads us to a place of peace and wholeness.

In your own life, when faced with loss, remember this: seek not to avoid the grief or bury it, but to allow it to be part of your story. Embrace the pain, honor the memory of those who have passed, and take steps toward healing. Whether through rituals, the support of others, or quiet reflection, find what gives you a sense of closure and peace. Like the great figures of ancient times, you will find that while grief may never fully leave you, it can lead to a deeper understanding of life, of love, and of your own inner strength.