Grieving

Too many people fill the internet with the minutia of their boring lives. I rarely write about my personal experiences unless I think they might help others.

I lost the love of my life last August. Even though I’m in my sixties, it was the first time I had lost someone really close to me. I had heard of the five stages of grieving leading to acceptance but that was about all I knew on the subject. My girlfriend had a number of health issues and then had cancer. Toward the end there were more and more problems. I honestly think I accepted her death the following day. I have learned a lot along the way.
It had seemed to me that grief was something people worked through and got past. Instead, it always stays with a person but they gradually adjust to it. Periodically there will be bouts of sadness but they will pass.

Some try to deny their feelings but that doesn’t work. Others wallow in their grief and that doesn’t work either. The secret is to maintain a healthy balance. It can really help to talk to someone in a similar situation.

There is no way that life can be as rich and fulfilling as before, but that’s not the point. We should strive to have as meaningful and happy life as possible. It helps me to know that that is what she wants for me.

Each person experiences grief in their own way. However, I hope my experience might be useful.