Loss and Grief: How are you doing?
When my dad passed away several years ago I lost my keys 4 times in one month, I would wake up at 3 a.m. several days every week feeling startled. Sound familiar? These are reactions to grief. Grief is a very personal experience - everyone grieves differently – even in the same family because the relationship of a father is different than that of a wife or a granddaughter. Unfortunately, often we grieve alone. Sometimes we don’t want to “bother others” with our grief, and sometimes friends and family tell us that we should be over it by now. After all the person we lost was ill for a long time or was very old and “it was their time” or “they are in a better place now.” Sound familiar?
Grieving is often described as the "work of grief." It does feel like hard work doesn’t it? Grief can be difficult because of the many factors related to the loss. If the loss followed a prolonged, serious illness you undoubtedly did some “anticipatory grief work” prior to the actual death of the loved one. If the loss, however, was sudden, i.e., accident related, suicide, a result of crime, etc. the sense of grief is coupled with shock.
The relationship that you had with the loved one also affects your grief experience, i.e. was your relationship close or had it been strained? Do you feel guilt that you were not closer or do you feel guilty because you don’t feel you did enough to help while your loved one was ill?
Sometimes anger plays a part in the grief process. Did your loved one get poor medical treatment or a wrong and/or late diagnosis? Did your loved one not follow your doctor’s orders with regard to their health (diet, smoking, attention to meds or exercise)? All of these factors contribute to your experience of grief.
Also, some losses are not so evident to others. These would include a miscarriage or a stillborn. Sometimes these losses are not considered as relevant to others as the loss of a person who has lived a longer life. In the case of a miscarriage, others might not even be aware of your loss.
You may think of that person on anniversary dates (their birthday, date of their death) or you might think of them constantly. Unfortunately, sometime people say things that can multiply grief. Have you ever heard someone say, “you should be over this by now?” or “I had a similar experience and I’m OK.” Well, most likely their similar experience was not the same as yours. Thinking you should be over it might compound your grief with feelings of guilt or frustration.
Whether a recent loss, or a loss you experienced a long time ago, let’s talk about it. Whatever your experience, I'd like to hear your stories and together find a way to relocate that loved one so that we can experience peace in our lifetime.
Together let us support each other in our grief journey.
Teresa
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Loss & Grief Support Group.
When I lost my fiance in 2013 I had no time to grieve because of the estate. I never want to go through something like that again. I thought all his children liked me. He even discussed what was going to happen if he passed with his children. My point is, I wish everything was different and he did not leave me anything. It was horrible to go through. My prayers are with you. All you can do is pray for your sister and forgive.
@hopeful33250
Hi, I haven't forgotten you guys, just, whatever, I don't know. Weather here is nice, 81' outside and for some reason it's 83' inside but a nice breeze blowing. Lilac is starting to bloom and I have a Tamarisk tree out front that blossoms pink, Dogwoods are blossoming and I have to cut the grass. Wish the horse didn't get bit by the stupid rattlesnake! Sarah was her name and she kept this place clean. Oh well!
I'll try to "keep coming back."
Mark
@muppey Hi Mark:
Thanks for checking in again. You were missed! Yes, the nice weather is great isn't it? I can smell the lilacs from here (I'm in Michigan so that is a ways). I'm sorry to hear that Sarah was bit by the rattlesnake - sounds like a personal loss and loss of some good help around the yard.
We have not hit 81 degrees here yet, but looking forward to it.
Teresa
I’m checking in after several weeks. I’m so sorry for alll the rough times we go through but very thankful for all of u. Your encouragement means so very much. I do have good news, we’re going to be grandparents again. Out of all this grief and loss these good tiding came into our life. I’m doing well with missing my sister. She would be so excited about this. Thanks for listening.
@hopeful33250
Hi! Hope everyone on this forum is doing better than yesterday.
I'd post a pic of the lilac's but my disc drive won't drive, I got it to open but it stalls and won't communicate. The weather today is a bit cloudy and down to 76' but that's OK.
Sarah is missed, I felt bad for her because that bit was nasty and painful for her, guess she was munching grass as the bite was on her right cheek.
Strange how this thing ebbs and flows, like the tide. Why doesn't it just ebb and not flow? Time I guess.
Thanks for being a mentor.
Mark
Yes, really great to hear from you, @muppey. I could go for some lilac blooming here in MN. Still relatively brown and barren here, but warming, thankfully.
If things get fixed with your disc drive, please do post a pic.
Sorry to hear the horse got bitten by a rattlesnake. Scary and just awful.
You said something about this thing ebbing and flowing, like the tide. Are you speaking of your feelings following your wife leaving? How are things going with that?
@muppey Hi Mark, when your disc drive starts driving please send a photo. We are still not in bloom here in Michigan. Some of the daffodils went into hiding from an ice storm last weekend.
You are right about the ebb-and-flow thing.
Regarding being a mentor - it's a privilege and I know that I get far more than I give. So, in response to your thank-you, let me say a hearty your welcome!
Teresa
@lisalucier,
Hi Lisa, I'll see about fixing the disc drive. I think it's a dust thing because I track a lot of wood into the house, and there's smoke (not gonna talk about the creosote explosion again...until next time). I do try to keep the place clean but it's a country house and there's dust, dirt and whatever gets tracked in. Vents on the computer need cleaning often, if not I'll hear the cooling fan whirring trying to cool the thing.
This isn't new to anyone here I don't think! The ebb and flow is a reference to one day I feel ready to go and have a pleasant day, but then wake in the morning doing fine, then it hits, "it" sucks. I hate it when people tell me to "just get over it." OK, I'm over it but my body, soul, brain, spirit, heart and whatever's left don't believe me. Thought I was the boss???
The ER doctors thought I was crazy which made me mad and I talked back to them and told them I wasn't crazy, I know what happened.
There isn't much study on this ghosting phenom although it's been around forever, just not enough call for study or treatment. Talking with empathy whether you understand or not would f'n help. (not you) That'd be the treatment I'd prescribe if I was a Doc. But it would be better if the other person experienced the same thing. Mezi did experience that but she hasn't called back and I left it up to her. Her x comes by to help her with the kid and things but...I don't know, maybe that helps. I wouldn't let Mary back here, no kids so no talk needed.
"Get over it!" Kiss my grits!
Anyway I really appreciate this forum and all the people here. Wish we could all get to together and exclude all the unbelievers. HAHA, just kidding.
Mark
@2011panc,
Hi again! I missed you because I was, well, I went crazy. Hah! Didn't have to go there it came here. LOL.
Send a note from your recent post's and I'll try to catch up. I hired a female brain therapist and will meet her on Monday. I purposely hired a woman because I think she won't tell me to Man Up. I'll do that when I get my brain back. Need some energy too but my appointment with the dietician got canceled and moved to June 5. I told the lady I might blow away by then. I know it happens to a lot of people, loosing weight, but I don't want to go down to 137 again. I'm down to 150 now as of the last VA visit a week ago.
How's life on the Prairie? Hope springs' there for you! Things are blossoming around here and I love it because it's all green and beautiful.
@muppey -- I cannot imagine at all how one would possibly "get over" that long of a marriage suddenly disappearing on you in a flash. I'd imagine it will be quite a process of grieving and going through many emotions. Allowing yourself to really feel it all -- sit in your sadness, if you will -- seems much healthier than trying to snap out of it. You sure seem like you are in a very "normal" place, given all that's transpired in your life not that long ago. I think you are taking good steps to go see a therapist, being concerned for having your weight up, etc. Sounds like you are working on good self care.
Have you done some research on "ghosting," then?