‘Blessed are they that mourn; they shall be comforted.’ Matthew 5:4

Like most of the verses in the Beatitudes, it’s a challenge to accept that the difficulties we face in our journey through life could be considered blessings. And perhaps this is especially true of connecting ‘blessed’ with ‘ those who mourn’. Hence the honest question mark at the end of the title.
How could the experience of loss described in the book be considered a blessing? And particularly, when the ‘loss’ is not a once-only event but an experience that lasts for many years and is on-going.
This is the background to this series of ‘conversations with God’ reflecting on the everyday experience of living with someone with Alzheimer’s Disease; the constant challenge of being in a marriage with someone whose life, personality, humanity has changed utterly with the onset of the disease.
And where to find comfort? The book offers no easy answers but is a series of responses to everyday living, acknowledging the significance and support of family, community, memories, faith in God and, perhaps above all, an enduring commitment to loving this partner to whom lasting love was promised in marriage.
Love to someone utterly changed, yet still loved.