Breaking It Gently

Breaking It Gently

Even when I walkthrough the darkest valley,I will not be afraid,for you are close beside me.

Psalm 23:4

Facing death is never easy, whether it is your own or someone else’s close to you. Death is inevitable for each of us, but as human beings, getting the news of someone’s death is usually difficult. It reminds me of a story Mark Twain once told:

Once a simple man named Higgins hauled rock for old Maltby. When the lamented Judge Bagley tripped and fell down the courthouse stairs and broke his neck, the great question was how to break the news to poor Mrs. Bagley. Finally the body was put into Higgins’s wagon, and he was instructed to take it to Mrs. Bagley. But he was cautioned to be very guarded and discreet in his language and not break the news to her all at once—to do it gradually and gently.

When Higgins got to the Bagley house with his sad freight, he shouted till Mrs. Bagley came to the door. Then he said, “Does the widow Bagley live here?”

“The widow Bagley? No, sir!”

“I’ll bet she does. But have it your own way. Well, does Judge Bagley live here?”

“Yes, Judge Bagley lives here.”

“I’ll bet he don’t. But never mind—it ain’t for me to contradict. Is the judge in?”

“No, not at present.”

“I just expected as much, because, you know—now take hold o’ suthin, mum, for I’m a-going to make a little communication, and I reckon maybe it’ll jar you some. There’s been an accident, mum. I’ve got the old judge curled up out here in the wagon—and when you see him, you’ll acknowledge, yourself, that an inquest is about the only thing that could be a comfort to him!”

Dear Lord, thank you for being with us throughout our lives and for holding our hands as we walk through death’s door. With you by our sides, we can face anything. Amen.