Weekly Prompt #4: How has dealing with grief changed you as a person?
Hello, everyone, I hope you are all taking it easy. Today I want us to think and discuss grief and its impact on us.
Whether you are a healthcare worker, a veteran, a teen, a student, or an introvert, everyone may have some experiences with grief. We are all dealing it with in one or another way.
How has dealing with grief changed you as a person?
Share your grief experiences with us. We are here with you to listen and support you.
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I was content, confident, starting to figure what's next...rug was pulled out...she would have been 74 but my mom was gone a while ago. Now, I am full of fear, longing for the past, and stuck.
@communicativePlane9108 I can feel the deep longing and sadness in your words. It's clear your mother was an important part of your life and her passing has left a void.
@ASilentObserver I suppose fortunately I haven't had anyone pass away that is close to me like so many others on here, my grief is from that of a failing/failed relationship.
Think perhaps a 2 1/2 year relationship is over and most of that is from what I'm now coming to grips with, abandonment issues. Almost all the fighting and pain was a direct result of not feeling good enough, not wanting to cause pain for her anymore, being afraid of loss so pushing away, just being hurt for the smallest thing and over expressing that instead of accepting the ups/downs.
I'm frustrated with myself at 42 that I didn't recognize this much sooner. I've had other relationships end very badly and had grown greatly as a person from those experiences certainly however this issue has persisted since I was very young.
With the few days since we last talked I'm taking in all of it and really absorbing the uncertainty I infused into an otherwise amazing relationship. She was my best friend and I can categorically say that is the case which has never been before. I was her best friend too from her own mouth. She was patient with me for 2 1/2 years as I kept attempting to fix and adjust to be better with the changes going on around us to which I was able to some extent but not without hiccups and sometimes protest.
I'm appreciative I've finally made it back to a place of reckoning but really sad it required a drawn out and unfortunate conclusion to a partnership.
@dabears4evar I can hear how painful this loss is for you. It's clear you shared something truly special with her.
@ASilentObserver
Someone told me once, “Mourning is beautiful. How much painful you want to make it is upto you. If you don’t feel the pain that means it never meant that much to you.”
Grief is a hard emotion. One needs to be strong, yes, to be able to pass through tough times. But, softness is equally important too to be able to absorb what’s happening to us and how we’re feeling.
I believe, any feeling, pleasure or pain, truly or fully felt, brings out the best in you (makes you a better person) ! ❤️
@VaryingCloud You have a deep understanding of grief and how allowing ourselves to fully experience difficult emotions can help us grow as individuals.
@ASilentObserver
How has grief changed me as a person?:
When my first wife asked me to leave, it tore my heart from my chest and the emotional pain was more than I could stand. After a series of events that evening, I went to the local emergency room and checked myself into a psych hospital. The first afternoon, I sat in a chair in the dayroom and cried. I was 43 at the time. Five other patients (their ages ranged from 18-23) came to me, surrounded me, and put aside their problems to listen to mine. I then learned the importance of being there for someone in their moment of crisis. I learned my reason for being on this earth is to be there for others.
Through that and the death of my father, I have learned that there are some things I am not man enough to weather on my own. I am learning to take my grief to God, cast the pain at His feet, and let Him work it out. I cannot.
I have also learned that with the grief of lost relationships comes the truth that there are plenty more people out there to meet and that there is joy in meeting new people. Google Reason, Season, Lifetime...
; In the semi-colon there is hope. In these grief stricken times of life, remember that this too shall pass. Yes, when my wife asked me to leave, it almost was the end, but I have a daughter and I want to be there for her. There is always a reason to weather the storm;
@Jing2010 I can feel the deep pain and loss in your words. The love you had for your first wife was profound. What has helped you find strength even in your grief? Though the pain may not fully leave you, I know there are still moments of joy to be found. Please know we are all here with you to listen to and support.
@ASilentObserver
Losing a close friend of mine taught me to appreciate those around me a lot more and to not take them for granted. It is possible for some to just disappear suddenly and that is why you should cherish those close to you.
@Zepposss osing someone dear to you is an immense pain. How did your friend bring joy and meaning to your life? Though they may be gone, the memories you shared will continue to inspire you each and every day.
@ASilentObserver Grief has changed me into being disconnected with most of my life. People places things etc...
@Lilac4Roses Grief has changed me into being disconnected with most of my life. People places things etc...
hello all, it’s been 1 1/2 months since my dad passed, such a short time for me to be dealing with the grieving process. Right now everything sets me off to think about him. It’s changed me a lot I feel numb in a away to life but also I’ve found myself doing acts of service for others like paying for groceries for a random lady, or putting someone’s cart up in the parking lot of Walmart and much other things and I was never that way before my dad passed, my dad was always giving to others and I guess in my own way me doing acts for others is my way of being close to him still.
@lillieG I can feel the deep love you shared with your father through your words. It's clear the impact he left on you and the way you are honoring his memory through acts of kindness.
Loosing my son last year has made me go spiritually deeper. I find myself alone more with my thoughts and physically in the world. I found out my heart can still be broken. Just thinking here...feeling, my heart actually took a little ping. It's amazing how our feelings affect us. Missing him has made me realize how physical things people collect are really useless... the only physical things I want in my life is those that give me a personal purposeful use... So, I can rid of a lot of junk now...lol.
@EmbStitcher33 I'm so sorry for your loss. The pain of losing someone you love runs deep. What emotions have helped you get through this difficult time? Your feelings and experiences are valid. We are all hre with you Emb!