Grief

 

Grief

The dictionary defines grief as deep sorrow, usually from the loss of someone or something.  Grief is more than just deep sorrow though, it's feeling the deepest part of your soul in an aching anguishing pain that takes your breath away at times. It's feeling the fear of what comes next not knowing how to even focus on anything, no less the moment in front of you. It is all encompassing, it takes away your ability to taste food the same, hear sounds the same, or feel the same in spaces that once gave you comfort. It's a numbness that flows throughout your body like the waves in an ocean carrying everything from uncertainty, sadness, calmness, uncontrollable tears, and even anger.  There is no roadmap to grief. The only thing you can do is be gentle with yourself and others experiencing this level of loss. Understand that grief looks different for each person and give room for that, especially when it comes to your own feelings and emotions. Don't let other people's definition of grief and how to handle it become your own definition. Maybe if we allowed ourselves to take the time to truly grieve a loss, we would understand the love that was there at an even greater capacity.