Loss to the famous personalities
As was true with many people of his era, Lincoln was familiar all his life with death. His grandfather died at the hands of Indians in 1786, a fact to which Lincoln referred. Lincoln's younger brother, Thomas, died in infancy. His mother died in late 1818, and his sister died ten years later. Although his exact relationship with Ann Rutledge is still debated, he felt loss when she died at the age of nineteen in 1835. The deaths of two of his own children, three-year-old Edward in early 1850 and eleven-year-old William ("Willie") in 1862, added immeasurably to his grief. Although death of loved ones at early ages from sicknesses and other causes was common in the nineteenth century, Lincoln probably suffered more loss than most people, and this suffering probably added to his melancholia and to his often sad countenance. It is possible that he suffered on occasion from depression, the loss of loved ones adding to this problem. |
We will once again let you know that the pain of losing a child knows no boundaries.
Abraham Lincoln lost 2 sons during his lifetime, Edward 4 years, and while president, William, 11 year old, died in a railroad accident; his wife was unable to attend the inauguration and secluded herself for nearly one half of his term. The following was written by our sixteenth president as a condolence to a friend. Lincoln stated one of the best precepts for recovery from grief is the compassion he expressed for another’s loss.
“In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all. It comes with bitterest agony Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now realize that you will ever feel better... And yet this is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have experienced enough to know what I say.”
The pinnacle of this hell that is experienced be Lear in order
to repay his sins is
|