When someone you care about dies, it is one of life’s most painful events, perhaps even the MOST painful event you might experience. Our reaction to death is many faceted and extremely difficult to discuss.
Each of us, regardless of our station in life, experience times of great sorrow and loss. Each of us deals with those losses in our own way. Some are easier to deal with than others, but each transition changes our lives in very definite ways. Some events that come to mind are:
These losses are a part of life. But, like all loss, these transitions can be painful and grief is a logical response to these transitions. They are interposed around the joyful moments in life and are a part of what it is to have a life well lived. Acceptance of and journeying through these moments and emotions can be difficult, but in the end, there is freedom and peace.
Loss is a part of life. Eventually, each of us will suffer a major loss. When we experience that loss, we experience grief. Grief comes in various forms, and everyone experiences it in their own way. This is normal and a natural path. However, grief also has some common traits that everyone experiences at one time or another.
You might have heard of the stages of grief. When someone experiences a major loss, they can move through them - shock, numbness, guilt, anger and denial. In my experience, these feelings are fluid and you might not experience them in that order, nor is there a formula for how much time you spend on each stage. When someone is grieving, they might also have physical symptoms of their grief play out in their lives as well. Some of the physical symptoms could include insomnia, lack of appetite, an inability to concentrate, depression or a lack of interest in taking part in favorite activities.
Grieving takes time. Losing someone who is important to you is a life-altering event. As time passes, you may cycle through the various stages of grief. You might also experience some or even ALL of the physical symptoms as well. You might visit some of the stages of grief more than once, and you might think you are okay, and a song or a photograph triggers a memory that ushers in a fresh wave of sorrow. It is a process, a process that isn’t completed overnight. When you allow yourself to experience these thoughts and feelings, and accept them as a part of that loss, you are moving forward - forward toward healing and accepting a ‘new’ normal in your life.
When you experience a major loss, it can be devastating. It’s hard, it hurts and it can be incredibly difficult to just get out bed in the morning and face the day. It can be overwhelming and you can easily become bogged down in those feelings. If you find that you are having a hard time dealing with the basic functions in your life or having a hard time reconnecting with your friends after a few months have passed, you might want to consider seeking professional help. Depression can be debilitating. If you continue to experience physical symptoms of grief, months after loss, it may be time to seek the assistance of a physician.
When you are an independent person, it can be hard to reach out for help. It can even harder to accept it when it’s offered, especially when you are dealing with pain and grief. However, sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is a circle of supportive, caring friends and relatives. These people can and will provide for you in every way you need. These people are your encouragers and supporters. They might provide meals, or a shoulder to cry on. They might wash your dishes or they can provide a listening ear over coffee. These people are the ones who can and will walk with you through your grief process, acknowledging your feelings and supporting you through it all.
"For those losing loved ones to COVID-19 — and those who lost friends and family in the months before the pandemic — mourning has become a whole new kind of challenge."
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