Abel Fonseca, II, is a lifelong San Benito resident and community advocate who has served students and families for more than two decades. Through his “Heart of San Benito” series, he shares stories that celebrate the people who make the Resaca City special. He can be reached at abelfonsecaii@hotmail.com.
Over the past year, our community has experienced sadness, loss, and uncertainty.
Families have lost loved ones, friends have mourned their friends, and neighbors have struggled to understand tragedies that have occurred in and around San Benito.
While news headlines often tell us what happened, they do not always tell the stories of the people left behind: the grieving spouse, the child missing a parent, the parent missing a child, the friend who wishes for one more conversation, the coworker who notices an empty chair. Loss affects more people than we often realize.
For those who are grieving, remember they are not alone. Grief does not follow a schedule, and there is no right or wrong way to mourn. Some people find comfort in family, while others find it in faith, friends, counseling, or simply talking with someone who will listen.
As a community, we can make a difference by reaching out to those who are hurting. A phone call, a visit, a prayer, a kind word, or even a simple reminder that someone is cared for can mean more than we realize.
If you know someone who is hurting, do not assume someone else has reached out. Be the one who makes the call, sends the text, offers the prayer, or simply sits and listens. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is letting someone know they do not have to walk through their pain alone.
If you are struggling with loss, sadness, anxiety, or depression, know that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. People care and want to help you through difficult times.
San Benito has always been a community grounded in faith, family, and compassion. When one of us hurts, all of us feel it. Let us continue to support one another, lift each other up, remember those we have lost, and embrace those who are still with us.
Together, we can find hope, healing, and strength. As stated in Mathew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
I’ll leave the readers this week with a quote from Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”