A Family’s Path to Healing Through Service
Family is like a puzzle; if one piece is missing, the picture remains unfinished. Losing a loved one is similar; the absence of one person makes a family feel incomplete. Coping with grief is much like searching for that missing piece, and acceptance comes with the realization that the picture will never be the same again. One family, faced with an unexpected loss, learned to view their family puzzle through a different lens over time and chose to fill that gap with acts of service.
Scott and Darinka Pawloski lost their son, Jake, the day after Christmas in 2021. He was only 23 years old.
“He had a heart of gold,” said mother, Darinka Pawloski. “He would make anyone smile. He had the greatest sense of humor, and he was so aware of people in need, especially those who needed support.”
Jake’s positive qualities inspired Pawloski to reach out to The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte and volunteer in memory of her son. The family was set up to serve dinner at the Center of Hope on the same day as Jake’s death anniversary.
“Service opens hearts, and it has this magical touch of healing, especially when you are grieving,” said Pawloski.
It was the family's first time volunteering together. They served and spoke to every resident coming through the dinner line. The experience brought them closer together, and now they want to make December 26 a day of service instead of a day of mourning a tragedy.
“It’s a ripple effect when you do service and allow your family to feel that love for others,” said Pawloski.
It’s the same love Jake exuded in his lifetime, something the family will always remember him for. Grief has revealed that the essence of the family isn’t about having every puzzle piece perfectly in place. It’s about continuing to reshape the picture with love and purpose, ensuring that a legacy lives on. Although the Pawloski puzzle may be physically incomplete, their overall picture remains whole.