The Many Faces Of Grief

And the impact it can have

Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash

Grief shows itself in many different ways. Some people keep their loved one’s room exactly as it was when they were alive, never moving anything, simply keeping an immaculate ‘shrine’ to them. Others, clear out everything, until there’s nothing left (and sometimes regret it later). The truth is that there’s no right or wrong way to grieve.

I FOUND HER

When my friend passed away, I was the one who found her. The silence was a strange sort of one. It’s hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced it, but it’s sort of like your whole world around you freezes for a moment. It’s a little like it is in the movies.

My friend had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among other illnesses. Her breathing was very poor, and you could generally hear her wheezing from across the room. When I came downstairs that morning, I couldn’t hear her breathing. I think I already knew then, that she’d gone. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I actually went back upstairs, without going into her room.

A DECISION I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND

I closed myself in my room, and I cried, and prayed that God would bring her peace. I prayed for strength to be able to accept His answer, even if it meant that she wouldn’t be with me any more, and I prayed that His love…