Heartfelt Words of Wisdom from a Young Daughter Coping with Loss
The nine-year-old daughter of a beloved actor who recently passed away has been sharing her thoughts on dealing with grief. The actor, a well-respected figure in Hollywood, tragically lost his fight against stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 48.
To commemorate what would have been her father's 49th birthday, the little girl's mother shared a video on social media where the child delivers a touching message about mourning and remembrance.
A Child's Perspective on Grief
"As many of you may know, my dad is no longer with us. I'd like to share some advice or things that might help you if you're dealing with the loss of a loved one," the young girl begins her message.
"Today is my dad's birthday, and one of the most important things when someone you love has passed is to communicate with them and express your feelings. If you miss them, it's okay to cry and talk to them. I speak to my dad every day, starting with, ‘Hi dad, I miss you and I love you so much, and my love for you will never end.'"
"I simply chat with him about my day, how I'm feeling, and I share my feelings with my family. I'm confident he can hear me, even if I can't hear him. My mom can hear him. You just need to feel them in your heart because they are part of you. They are watching over you. They are in a peaceful place. I know my dad is now free from pain and is in heaven."
Dealing with Emotions and Believing in Miracles
She also mentions that her dad is "above the clouds with God" and reassures her mother's followers that it's okay to shed tears.
"It's okay to feel sad because you miss them. You might feel angry, but don't blame yourself. Blaming yourself isn't healthy when dealing with loss," she advises. "And if someone else has also lost a beloved pet or person, and tells you they know how you feel or that they felt worse, remember that they can't truly understand your feelings."
"Everyone has different emotions and expresses them in unique ways. My dad once told me that even if things didn't turn out the way we hoped, I should still believe in miracles. Miracles can still happen, maybe later in life, but they'll keep coming. And if someone you love does pass away, remember, they have some work to do on the other side."
Keeping Memories Alive
The young girl prays to her father and keeps one of his hats because it carries his scent. "He was a good man," she says. "A lot of people loved him, and many prayed for him. He was loved by so many hearts and people."
The actor bravely shared his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis with the public over a year before his passing. His diagnosis came several months earlier.
His wife, 44, disclosed that they had a "simple and beautiful" vow renewal ceremony over a video call with family and friends just before his passing. "We decided two days beforehand. Our friends got us new rings, filled our bedroom with flowers and candles, and we renewed our vows from bed," she shared.
The couple first met while holidaying in Israel in 2009 and married the following year in a small ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel. They are parents to six children – four daughters and two sons.