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Grief: What I Wish I Knew Before My Grandma Died
It’s been one month since my grandmother passed away, and the pain of her loss still feels raw. Even though she lived a long life, watching as my beloved grandma slowly slipped away from us was heartbreaking and painful. While preparing for her death, I wished I had known more about grief so I could have been better prepared for what came after her passing.
Understanding Grief
The grief experience is different for everyone, but there are some commonalities. Grief can be divided into four stages — denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, and acceptance — representing the emotional rollercoaster you may feel after a loved one passes away. It’s important to remember that individuals process their grief differently and in their own time.
You cannot control how you feel or how quickly you move through the stages of grief; instead, focus on what makes you feel better in each moment and allow yourself to grieve in whatever way works best for you.
I began noticing the phases of grief I was going through, such as numbness, depression, euphoria, anger, and loneliness. I am fortunate to have loving friends and family who have been supportive and helpful during this difficult time, but the pain lingers.
