Another Lesson

It has been thirty one years since I first sat in Todd VanBeck’s classroom at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

The Professor.

Fortunately, I was invited into his world over the years and know a good bit about his life.

I am better for it. I wrote about it here and here….. And if you are really interested, you can put his name in the search box and find about a dozen more articles.

I do recall a lecture where he talked about us becoming better caregivers the more we get beat up by life. It is through our pain, when we are at rock bottom… that we learn what suffering is. It is a feeling that we can access when working with those in grief; we can be more effective caregivers. I have experienced that and know it to be true.

I have said before that VanBeck is the biggest influence on my career in funeral service. If it was not for his wisdom, I probably would not be doing what I am today. I regret that in later years, we have not always seen eye to eye on some things, but that’s life and I still love and respect him in a very special way.

It has been six months since his last article. I was wondering if he had given up on the blog, but I still checked almost daily…looking for the next lesson.

It came yesterday and it is called Grief is Grief, Pain is Pain

It is classic VanBeck and I am thankful that I can read it and hear his voice. I hope you appreciate it as much as I do.