Grief

Losing a loved one may be the most tragic event you ever experience. Naturally, the closer the person, the more devastating the loss. It can feel as though the world has ended, and your thoughts will revolve entirely around the fact that the one you love is gone.

Because of how the brain works, time will eventually make this pain more bearable. This does not mean your love for that person has faded. Sometimes, it is only after someone is gone that you realize how deeply you loved them—and how much you truly needed them.

It’s so easy to take things for granted, to feel as though the people we love will always remain by our side. Yet deep down, we all know we are not immortal.

As with many things, grief is deeply personal. No one can go through this process for you. Of course, the presence of family and friends during such difficult times is comforting and essential—but healing can only be done by yourself.

Always remember: being the one who stays means you have spared your loved one the sorrow of your own loss.