Everyone at some point in their life will experience grief. A close friend, beloved pet, spouse, or other loved one passes away and the grief sets in. Grief is the feeling of deep sorrow we experience when we endure a great loss. Sometimes it can seem overwhelming, and many people can fall into a depression because of grief. Oftentimes well-meaning friends or family don't understand the grief process their loved one is experiencing.
Grief is not linear. It can come and go in waves; one day it's small, like a low tide, and the next it is a tsunami. The important thing to understand is that grief is a different experience for every person, and no one grieves a set amount of time or the same way another does. Think of it like glitter. First there is glitter (grief) everywhere. There's just so much of it, it's overwhelming. So you begin to vacuum and sweep and collect the glitter (grieve), and for a time, there's little to no glitter visible (coping). But then, you move the furniture or disturb the rug, and there it is again. More glitter. The grief is back. As time goes on, the glitter (grief) becomes less and less and the pain lessens.
If you or a loved one are experiencing grief and feel alone, don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, your pastor, or even a therapist. Grief is manageable.