THE GIFT OF HOPE - YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN

Richard is the author of "It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later; A Collection Of Inspirational Parables” and its 2nd edition; “The Best Is Yet To Come.” A parable is a symbolic short story that illustrates or teaches some truth, religious principle or moral lesson.

In this life people often leave or are left wishing they had just five more minutes and eventhe promise of a new year cannot give those who grieve what they would truly love.

This makes grief one of society’s most misunderstood and profoundly difficult experiences that cannot be resolved by closure alone if there's even such a thing, but by the slow measure of acceptance that only the passage of time and words of comfort can provide. Richard believes his words can provide that comfort.

This past August 29th NHL hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his best friend, and brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver while out for a ride on their bicycles.

It was not only the eve of their sister's wedding in which they were to be groomsmen, but was later learned that both their wives were expecting.

Unfortunately this kind of tragedy happens far too often and except for its famous victims, and heartbreaking backstory every family affected by drunk driving are left absolutely devastated in its aftermath.

So, I wrote “You Can Go Home Again” with the hope that its heartfelt message of faith can provide some small measure of comfort to anyone suffering the non-accidental and sudden loss of a person dear to their heart.

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN

One day I went for a bike ride and when I returned home. I was completely alone.

Then with a knock on the door. I was chilled to my core. When I saw my grandpa standing there. And felt my eyes well up with tears. As he had been dead for many years.

He told me; I had come home at just the right time. And everything was going to be fine. He said; my wife was not here yet, but soon would be. And although she couldn't have missed me more. There were plenty of others for us to meet before.

There's your grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins. And friends you haven't seen in a while. Who would like to ask how you’ve been. And see your sweet smile.

The air filled with laughter, as we all reminisced. And I couldn't believe the memories, moments. And people I had missed.

Then my wife entered the room. And knew her doubts had been untrue. When I said; I've been waiting for you. And we were no longer one, but two.

As I look back on this day’s passage through time. I realized what happened, and when. I not only spent it with mine. And many a friend. I got to go home again. My life did not end.

? Richard Lawrence Belford

Richard invites you to join Facebook’s It's Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later ―The Best is Yet to Come Support Group and the ever increasing number of its members his writings have inspired to not only say; “I’ll see you later, instead of goodbye, but also believe the best is yet to come!

Richard feels that those who have experienced loss should support one another’s efforts to comfort others and is grateful to the following organizations for theirs.

The Centering Corporation's Executive Director Janet Roberts for publishing his stories about life, love and loss in Grief Digest Magazine.

Love What Matters for including his heartfelt stories in conjunction with their mission to celebrate love, compassion and kindness that provide the encouragement it takes to overcome life’s challenges.

The Good Grief Trust for sharing Richard’s parable "Like Father, Like Son" and his posts about Walking Through Grief, The Loss of a Dog and their vision that helps those who are bereaved acknowledge their grief from day one, and the reassurance provided by doing so.

GenZ Publishing encourages those who know someone or are themselves experiencing the loss of a person dear to their heart to either give, or get the gift of hope by purchasing "It's Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later ―The Best is Yet to Come”

If you would like additional information regarding Richard's new book and inspiring stories about life, love, and loss please visit www.richardlawrencebelford.ca

“Everything’s possible and nothing’s not.” ― Richard Lawrence Belford

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