Is Mourning Okay?

I was at work today when I received an email that broke my heart, and I wept as I read the words "(Patient's name) passed away Wednesday from congestive heart failure.   We did not even know she had it and she went fast and peaceful.   I wanted you to know that she thought the world of you and you made her time in the facility so much better.   Thank you." This particular patient held such a special place in my heart. I had referred to her in a previous post 'Satisfaction in a Job Well Done' 
and ever since she left our facility she and I have stayed in contact, emailing back and forth as we ask each other about work, school, life, etc. Every email from her kept the joyful memories flooding back into my heart time and time again, as I remembered each time I was able to care for her, find ways to make her comfortable, or even when she taught me a special lifting technique to move her easier. I still cannot comprehend how kind, patient and happy she was, no matter the circumstance. These thoughts and more overwhelmed me as I sat at work, numb to the tasks at hand as I absorbed this difficult loss. 

Hours later as I walked slowly home, the dark gray sky opened up and rain fell. It felt as though heaven itself was mourning with me, shedding tears as I attempted to gather my thoughts. As I reached home and still had not found the comfort I desired, I wondered why I was so sad, when I know with all of my heart that the Plan of Salvation means that we don't say goodbye to our loved ones forever. How could I still feel so downcast and mournful when I know that I will see her again? My sorrow didn't seem wrong or misplaced, and yet I wondered how the two, my knowledge of God's plan and my anguish in her death, could co-exist peacefully. I went searching for answers when I found this quote from Elder Russell M. Nelson: "Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.” (D&C 42:45.)Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life."

I can ache for the loss of my sweet friend. I can also know that the Plan of Salvation is called the Plan of Happiness for just this reason: we can be together FOREVER! Death is a temporary separation from those in our hearts, and if we live as we have been commanded we will go on to enjoy eternity with them right by our sides. Heaven wouldn't be heaven without those we love, and our loving older Brother Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to return to our Father in Heaven. So to my dear friend, I will forever be grateful for the friendship we shared, the lessons you taught me, the example you set, and the incredible strength you exhibited. You inspired me to be grateful for more, and to look for ways to make others happy.  You were one of the most courageous and incredible women I have been blessed to know. Til we meet again.