Grief & Grieving:

Grief and Grieving is a part of life we all experience sooner or later. We grieve not only when someone we love has died or gone away, but also for losing anyone or anything in the course of time. For example, when children grow up and leave home for school or to start their own lives, losing a job, home or lifestyle, losing a body part through surgery, losing youthfulness (menopause, sexual dysfunction). Grieving is different for everyone and there is no “normal” way in which to grieve. Based on what or who we are grieving and what the state of our mind and body are in at that time can determine the degree of sadness and the accompanying behaviors we may experience. Children grieve differently than adults do and people from different cultures, backgrounds and religions have varying expectations of grief. I believe that one thing is universal for all of us: grief is a normal part of the human experience and we should allow ourselves and others to grieve as long as it takes to complete the process.