Grief

Grief ....keen mental suffering over loss.  Practically everyone I know has experienced grief or loss.......we all suffer because of it, and we all deal with it in so many different ways.  Some of us, after the initial shock, push it deep down inside hoping that it will somehow disappear......others never get past that first deep wave of sorrow and  drown helplessly for the rest of their lives in pain.  Some cope, making it step by step but often losing their way in the anger and bitterness of loss.  Many of us wonder if the hole in our hearts will ever heal, is there some super glue that can fix us?

My family has reeled with grief this week, first my sister-in-law's brother died and then the death of my nephew yesterday........but we are not alone.  As I sat and talked with my students today about my grief, two of them had buried close friends this past week.......it seems grief touched many of us this week......so many more that we don't even know about.

I know this about grief.......it changes you......some for the better, some for worse.......I think most are just changed by profound loss.  Each experience is unique, because each loss and its value to our life is unique.
Grief leaves scars......big open gaping wounds slashed across our hearts that remind us daily of our loss.
Loss is no respecter of persons.......age doesn't matter either, not when it comes to grief........I lost friends at a young age, my mom passed at age 85, the pain and suffering was enormous with each loss.......loss is loss,
and there is no replacing those who die.

Time, for me.......has softened the pain most days.......but there are moments ( and who knows what triggers them) when the grief for someone that I have loved and lost sweeps over me and I am once again floundering in that pain, as fresh as the day it appeared.  Thankfully, those moments get farther apart with the passing years.

Mourning and grief......for loved ones, pets, life styles, etc....that profound suffering for what is lost is a natural part of our lives......part of the yin and yang.....part of the experience of being.  We don't have to embrace it, but I do believe acceptance and acknowledgement help to ease the pain.......hugs, love, prayers,
and good thoughts do too.  Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers for my family.