Because God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things.  We must know the pain of loss; because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-interest, creatures of unalloyed self-interest.  The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one.

– Quote from “The Darkest Evening Of The Year”, by Dean Koontz.