When unexpected, tragic things happen, like a sudden death, we are faced with the opportunity to choose, moment by moment, what our attitude will be. We need to breathe and be present with ourselves. What we need to know in this moment will be made clear, and we will have every resource we need.
We all need spiritual partners to help us along. Friends are not spiritual partners. Spiritual partners do spiritual work together, and once it is done, they part ways. Friends are with you to buffer you from the wind; spiritual partners are there to ask you questions about the wind.
When we feel powerless because of a tragedy, it reminds us that it was never our power---we never did have power over death. What we have power over is our response to things that happen.
