Dear Zara and Georgia, I'm very sorry to read of the sad loss of your beloved father, and although I don't know you; I want to offer my deepest sympathy to you. Please accept my condolence without taking offence, because I care. And I hope that you will find some comfort in these verses. Acts 24:15 promises, "that there is going to be a resurrection." Many unexpected losses are due to what the Bible calls, "time and unexpected events (Or “unforeseen occurrence) overtake them all.." - Ecclesiastes 9:11b Our loving God doesn’t cause sad things to happen to our loved ones, as James 1:13 helps us to understand, ‘When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.’” 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 speaks of God as “the God of all comfort who comforts (Or “encourages.”) us in all our trials ("Or tribulation.”) " 1 Peter 5:7 lets us know that we can “throw all our anxiety (Or “cares; worries.”) upon (God), because he cares.” Isaiah 65:17b tells us that "the former things will not be called to mind, (or, be remembered) nor will they come up into the heart.” - Thus the heartbreak that we experience now, won’t even be remembered after Jehovah God resurrects our loved ones; thereby undoing the sad effects of death and the pain being separated from them brings. Revelation 21:4 speaks of the time when no more sadness or cause for mourning; as there it assures us, "And (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And no sickness of any kind as Isaiah 33:24 promises, “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” While on earth, Jesus resurrected his friend Lazarus back to life, speaking of his death as being 'sleep' and saying he was going to 'awaken' him. - John 11:11-14 reads, "After he said these things, he added: “Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.” The disciples then said to him: “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.” Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazarus has died." Jesus then raised him back to life again. - Please also read; John 11:23, 25, 38-45. Jesus also resurrected a young man, the only son of a widow, and a 12 yr. old girl; and so we know that he has the power to resurrect our loved ones too in the future when the time comes for the resurrection! - (Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:40-56) Then many will be resurrected to life right here on the earth that will become a peaceful paradise where loved ones will be welcomed back to life! This time is told of at Psalms 37:10, 11, 29, "Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, and they will not be there. But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it." Jesus gave us hope of a time when all suffering will end. He taught his followers to pray: “ “You must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. (Or “be held sacred; be treated as holy.”) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth- Matthew 6:9, 10 - When God’s Kingdom comes, there will be no more suffering or death on the earth, just as there is no suffering or death in heaven! Take care, and I hope that your memories are helping to comfort you, perhaps by looking at pictures, and I hope that these and other verses will also comfort you. - Romans 15:4 tells us, "For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." Please go to www.jw.org and near the top of the page on the site; please click on 'publications' and then please look to the left and click on 'books and brochures' and then look to the right and click on page 2 and then please look at the first row and click on the tract, "Can the dead really live again?" This is very comforting! Sincerely Yours, Cindy Boyer