Death is such a unifier. But why does it take something so life altering and sad to bring people together? Why can’t we join in people’s joys and happiness? Why is it that you need an invite to join a joyous occasion but will go of your free will to a sad one?

I have never known anyone to say, ‘I am not going to that person’s funeral or after death ceremonies because I wasn’t invited’. But I know so many who won’t go to a wedding just because someone from the immediate family didn’t personally come to invite them. Isn’t that just a tad bit unfair.

Showing solidarity with a grieving family is a wonderful sentiment, but I think a similar solidarity should be extended when a family is celebrating something. Just as the former helps ease the pain, the latter alleviates joy. Both demand sensitivity, let’s not be biased while displaying it.