Grief is a natural and normal human reaction to the loss of someone we love. Despite the fact that we can be sure that it will happen to us at some point in our lives, when we do experience a bereavement, it can come as a terrible shock, and it can help if we understand the natural process that most of us go through. One of the most important things is not to feel that you have to “get over it” quickly, or to let others set time limits on your grief. Your grief belongs to you, and it is a reflection of the love you felt for the person who has died – let your grief take its own time – a loving relationship that has developed over many years is not grieved in a few weeks.
Loss and grief reactions are unique to each individual. We all react in very different ways- some people try to be ‘strong’, others feel as if they are “falling to pieces”. There is no “right way” to grieve, and so it is very important to allow yourself to grieve in the way that is best suited to you. As time passes your feelings will change, they will become less raw, but your life will be different, and the process of grieving is a natural way of preparing you for those changes.