The
death of a loved one is life's most painful event. People's reactions
to death remain one of society's least understood and most off-limits
topics for discussion. Oftentimes, grievers are left totally alone in
dealing with their pain, loneliness, and isolation.
Grief
is a natural emotion that follows death. It hurts. Sadness, denial,
guilt, physical discomfort, and sleeplessness are some of the symptoms
of grief. It is like an open wound which must become healed. At
times, it seems as if this healing will never happen. While some of
life's spontaneity begins to return, it never seems to get back to the
way it was. It is still incomplete. We know, however, that these
feelings of being incomplete can disappear.
Healing
is a process of allowing ourselves to feel, experience, and accept the
pain. In other words, we give ourselves permission to heal. Allowing
ourselves to accept these feelings is the beginning of that process.
The
healing process can take much less time than we have been led to
believe. There are two missing parts. One is a safe, loving,
professionally guided atmosphere in which to express our feelings; the
other is knowing how and what to communicate.