The Bridge of Longing

In Mirabai's bhakti practice, longing for the divine is not treated as pathology but as a sacred connection that sustains devotion. Similarly, when children long for someone who has died—wanting to talk to them, be held by them, share news with them—this longing is not a sign of unhealthy attachment but evidence of a real relationship that continues to matter. This framework honors that bridge of yearning. Rather than encouraging children to 'let go,' we can help them maintain connection through memory-keeping, speaking to the deceased, writing letters, or creating rituals that acknowledge ongoing love. The longing itself becomes a practice of remembrance and continued devotion. Over time, the acute pain of missing someone can transform into a tender, integrated awareness that love persists even when presence does not.