Slowly

Death doesn't solve problems by removing the person in pain.

Sheba talked to a young woman today. A year ago, she was looking after her HIV positive mother. Today her just-turned-twenty brother is living alone in their house - and she as a 22 year old is living with her grand-parents. Their mother died about 8 months ago.

Preeti, as we will call this young woman, is struggling to put her life together at this point. She is not 'at home' in the place she is living - but not on good terms with her brother - who had been expressing his hostility to her mother and her through the last months of her mother's life.

Preeti goes twice a week to clean up her brother's home.

She has gone twice to the government hospital where her mother died. Just sat in the ward.

Suicidal thoughts have buzzed through her mind.

What words to give to a young woman who is living through a life of shreds...

We have no easy answers. No glib responses. No quick guaranteed problem-solving-potion.

Listening. Praying. Talking. Hoping. Moving forward - slowly for the mist of tears.