NEED TO KNOW
- A woman took to Reddit to discuss the guilt she had been feeling for years after missing her great-grandmother’s funeral
- She couldn’t attend the funeral due to distance
- Despite not believing in signs, one moment made her change her mind
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be an intensely painful experience, especially when guilt and distance complicate the grieving process.
For many, the feeling of losing someone close can trigger a search for reassurance or a sign that their loved one is at peace.
One recent Reddit post shed light on how signs can provide comfort and ease the burden of grief.
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In the post, a woman recounted the experience of losing her great-grandmother when she was 22 years old.
She described her great-grandmother as “the toughest lady to exist” – a Polish woman born in 1922 who defied great adversity during World War II, raised two children alone after losing her husband and eventually became “the de facto matriarch of our family.”
Despite her heroic legacy, the poster felt a deep and lasting guilt for not being present during her passing, noting, “She passed away… surrounded by my whole family, except me (as I lived overseas). And the guilt ate me up inside for years.”
During a difficult period in her academic life, however, she found herself especially overwhelmed by guilt, explaining that she, “BEGGED for a sign that she was alright, that she was happy wherever she is.”
The following day, an unexpected moment occurred that she interpreted as a sign of reassurance, even though she didn’t normally believe in such things.
During an online course, she noticed “her [great-grandmother’s] exact name, commenting on a module, how the person was enjoying it, and how well it was structured.”
She acknowledged that the name is not uncommon in Poland and that logically it could be a coincidence. However, the timing felt deeply meaningful.
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“Seeing her name show up the day after asking for any sign was like a boon from God,” she wrote.
This encounter helped lighten the heavy guilt she had carried for years, providing comfort that her great-grandmother’s spirit was still watching over her.
The Reddit user reflected, finally admitting, “Yes, I believe that once someone passes, they’re still around in spirit, looking after you, making sure you’re alright.”
