Lament for a Son

Wolterstorff provides a sensory description of his son Eric’s burial. He recalls the warm June day, the squeaking straps of the gardeners lowering the body, curious neighborhood children observing, and the heavy slab being placed over the grave. He emphasizes the surreal nature of the experience, repeating, “It was me” (42), as if he himself were buried that day.

Wolterstorff then incorporates an extended quote from Meditation XVII by poet John Donne. This passage speaks to the interconnectedness of humanity, likening mankind to a book in which each person is a chapter. Donne suggests that death is a translation rather than an ending, and that God acts as the translator. The quote emphasizes that every death affects all of humanity, using the metaphor of a bell tolling to call everyone, not just the deceased. This reflection helps Wolterstorff contextualize his personal loss within a broader human experience.

The narrative shifts to describe how Wolterstorff’s perception of the world has altered since Eric’s death. Colors appear different to him now, and lines from hymns and psalms that once seemed unremarkable now resonate deeply with him. The author finds it particularly challenging to look at photographs of Eric as a young child, feeling that these images are more difficult to bear than those of him as an adult.