Nothing matches the feeling you have when you lose someone important to you. What can we do when what we’ve known our whole lives simply isn’t there anymore? This week, I delve into the topic of death and how some people overcome the grief.
Who am I to govern your feelings about the ones you love and lost? Nobody. With the recent turn of events, the loss of my great Uncle Dick Clark (may he forever host the New Year’s party in the sky) it feels relevant to muddle this summer loving edition of The Current with some doom and gloom.
Acceptance
The hardest and most important part of this painful process. It may be easy for some to come to terms with the fact that they will no longer see this person, others tend to bottle it up and ignore their feelings. Don’t do that. This is important because you have to accept it before you can begin the process of getting over the loss of the loved one.
Good Times
Everybody has positive memories about the ones they miss. Relish them, recant them, talk with family and friends, and have them share their own happy moments; everyone will walk away feeling better. You just might learn something about the person you lost. There is no such thing as over-sharing happy thoughts.
Cry, Cry, Cry
Whatever you do, don’t fight it. Fighting the tears off and ignoring the fact that someone you love is no longer with you only hurts more. It’s natural to feel the immense sadness (even for men) and helps with the grieving process. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable while it’s happening. This isn’t something anyone enjoys. Think prostate exams.
Take Your Time
Sometimes people re-marry, adopt, or otherwise try to fill in the void of the lost person. I’m of the opinion that people should take their time with grief to allow room for personal growth. This may seem like a very lonely stance to take, and it is, but if time isn’t taken out to properly grieve then you’ll find yourself hollow and rushed.
In conclusion, I just want to take a moment to dedicate this end graf to the love I’ve lost, to the memories I’ve made, and to the respect I will always have for those that have graced my life with their presence. To quote the great George Strait: “You are always on my mind.”
