Forgiveness

I read a story about forgiveness on the plane the other day.  It was a beautiful story about a young man who killed another and how the fathers came together to work with youth to prevent violence.  Both men practiced meditation on a regular basis and yet they were each from different faiths and beliefs.  In trying to deal with the death of his only son one of them sought guidance from a friend and was encouraged to reach out to do something good in honor and memory of his son to relieve his grief.  He was told that the son's spirit would be able to go free when he did a good deed in his name.

It reminded me of one of my favorite sayings from Viktor Frankl that says, "Suffering is no longer suffering when it finds meaning."  By the mere act of reaching out to do good for others the father's suffering was relieved.  Perhaps that is why people donate to a charity in memory of a loved one or friend so that it begins to relieve the grief process and starts the healing.    I wonder....