Before Grief, There is Reaction to Loss
Reacting to Loss Everyone is different; we’re all aware of that. Everyone deals with situations in a personal and unique way. We should especially be aware that each person reacts to loss in his or her own individual way. There’s no “correct” response to the experiences that cause grief and there’s no right or wrong way to feel. Reactions to loss sometimes cannot be predicted. A person may respond totally different than anticipated. When my dad died, I knew he was going to die and we talked about it; I was even with him when he died. However, when I saw him at the funeral home,...
Read MoreRecognizing Your Losses To Help Your Grief
Causes of Grief Grief is painful, no matter what the source. Death is a major cause of grief and may be the greatest contributor to our sense of loss. However, there are so many other reasons to experience grief and not all losses have to do with death. Here are some examples of other losses. You may have additional experiences that have caused pain in your life so keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list. Separation Divorce Moving Disability after an illness or accident Miscarriage Loss of property (something important lost, destroyed, or stolen) Loss of relationship or love Loss of...
Read MoreGrieving the “Lost”
A Unique Grief I was talking to a friend of mine recently and I discovered she is grieving the loss of her daughter. What is unique about her grief is that her daughter is still alive. Because of poor choices, her beloved child has taken a path in life that has left her estranged from her family and two young children. Her daughter is not in her life anymore; she is “lost”. The effects of her destructive lifestyle have been devastating to those who love her. With no contact with her daughter whatsoever, my friend is raising her grandchildren without the love and support of their mother....
Read MoreHelping Other Grievers In Times of Need
Devastating Events I see on the news the devastating images the wild fires have brought to Texas. I hear the stories from the victims of the most destructive fire in Texas history; you can see their pain and the shock of such overwhelming loss. I try to imagine what they must feel but my mind won’t allow it. It is impossible for me to understand the magnitude of their grief. My heart hurts for those grieving and for those fighting these fires. The victims, firefighters and volunteers of massively damaging events, such as the Texas fires, deserve our prayers and support. Closer...
Read MoreTaking The First Step and Moving Forward Through Grief
Grief of All Kinds Grief can be overpowering, it can even be paralyzing. With grief comes confusion, frustration, exhaustion, fear, anger and a multitude of other emotions. The grief that occurs in our lives comes in varying degrees and from many different situations. Grief appears in all different shapes and sizes. Death of a loved one is not the only event that brings grief into our lives. Divorce, separation, miscarriage, mass disaster and moving away from family and friends can cause grief. Loss of relationships, finances, property, innocence, abilities, security and self-esteem can also...
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