consolation.....

Wounds of the spirit, which at first appear incurable, are gently soothed and made whole by the passing years. New life flows again under old scars. Under a great loss the heart cries that it can never be happy again and perhaps in its desperation says that it wishes never to be comforted. But though angels do not fly down to open the grave and restore the lost, the days and months come as angels with healing in their wings. Under their touch, aching regret passes into tender memory; into hands that were empty new joys are softly pressed; and the heart, that was like the tree stripped of its leaves and beaten by winter's tempests, is clothed again with the green of spring.

(Mrs. Charles Cowman, from her book Consolation)