I will never be happy again.

"I will never be happy again!"

My nine year old son Matt, explained to me this week that because his dad has died, he will never be happy again.

I don't really have an answer for him. Glossing over his grief by telling him that he will evenually feel better seems wrong. I do not want to try to change his grief. He misses his dad. He should. The struggle is, I want to have a happy child. I want to fix him. I want to make everything better. Would that be denying him his feelings for his dad or in some way dishonoring his father?

I have a sad child. Greif is under all of his other emotions. Behind his laugh, hugs, and momentary happiness there is grief. His frustration, anger, and rebellion all are shields. It seems as though some days all I do is manage emotions, or try to create momentary bright spots for him. He is so often resistent to joy.