Grief

Grief visits us all at some point in our lives. There is the profound grief that follows the loss of a loved one. And then there is the grief of a lesser degree that arises from myriad reasons; the experience of which is no less confusing or impactful. We grief for different reasons, and in our own ways. Sometimes it is hard to own up to that or recognize it in others. 

There are good days, a lot actually, so much so that one is lured into a false sense of security, and then out of the blue, grief hits you in the guts, and it can be as raw as the first time. The trigger could be anything and nothing; regardless, the result is the same and you are left there to experience it again. 

Ironically, grief can be oddly comforting. You ride enough roller coasters you get to know how each one vibrates and can, therefore, anticipate some of the twist and turns. The thrill of a drop never goes away, but at the same time, it is something you can count on. So, as much as we dread grief's visit, it is familiar. 

So, we grief, either silently or aloud. Some expect us to collapse and succumb to it. More often, one puts on a brave smile and carry on. It is often not something one takes medication for, it is not a diagnosis, it is not something one is ready to share despite how common it is. That is perhaps the unique quality of grief, to isolate us even when it is so common. We turn our faces from the crowd, or the crowd shy away to give us room. One way or the other, we visit with grief, and it greets us like an old friend who knows us at our worst.