Grief

Have you ever looked someone in the eye and recognized grief? Not just a general sadness, but deep, gut wrenching pain and agony grief?
That happened to me tonight.

My friend and I eat at Chili's after our Tuesday night Bible study. I thought I recognized our waiter. This person's mother passed away last year after a very long and grueling battle with cancer. I decide to take another step at conquering my fear of man, and I tell our waiter that I think I know him. I ask if he is the son of his father, and he nods. So I tell him that I used to attend church and I ask how his father is. That's when I see the grief. He tells me that his father has remarried and is living in Louisville. He is currently trying to sell his house in Frankfort. Before I can ask how the waiter is doing and more formally introduce myself, he bolts.

I really wish I were better at speaking words, instead of just reflecting on things after the fact.