War in the modern age is technological and remote. Imagine what it must have been like a thousand years ago when swords and spears were the height of technology. Watching an army approach at walking pace, the banners flying, the vast array of range weapons moving like a wave inexorably towards you must have been a truly awe-inspiring, but terrifying, sight.

Whilst we do not have to face such overwhelming odds on the battlefield, we still have to contend with the inescapable emotion of grief. Losing a loved one can at first seem like a distant prospect, something we may have to deal with in the future but the here and now occupies far more of our attention. Later, we only glimpse it but it moves closer as they face their own battle with age or illness.

Soon the grief arrives like a conquering army and facing it just induces panic and the desire to flee. However just as a conquering army can not be outrun, the grief will always catch up with us. We need to find the bravery within ourselves to fight through the grief and hope that if we keep pushing forwards, valiantly fighting as we go, we will eventually emerge on the other side, bloodied, but battled hardened, more able to face the next wave of emotion trying to overwhelm us.