Imagine what war must have been like when swords and spears were the height of technology. Watching an army approach at walking pace, the banners flying, moving like a wave inexorably towards you, must have been a truly awe-inspiring, but terrifying, sight. Whilst today most of us do not have to face this on the battlefield, we still have to contend with the inescapable emotion of grief. Losing a loved one can seem like a distant prospect, something in the future, but the here and now occupies far more of our attention. Later, we glimpse it, but it moves ever closer as they face their own battle with age or illness.
Soon grief arrives like a conquering army inducing panic and the desire to flee. Just as a conquering army cannot be outrun, the grief will always catch up with us. We need to find the bravery to valiantly fight through the grief and eventually arrive at the other side, bloodied, but battle hardened and so better able to face the next wave of overwhelming emotion.