Life is filled with changes and these changes often involve a loss. Grief is a natural part of dealing with and healing from the loss. We obviously associate grieving with the loss of a loved one and all the necessary adjustments that accompany it. Tragedy and suffering are real pieces of life for which we are not prepared, and the subsequent grief and loss can be crippling.
However, a period of grief may stem from a variety of situations or transitions and may not always involve a death. Moving to a new home can be filled with feelings of loss as we experience the transition from familiar surroundings to new areas. The loss of a job or even the dream of a job can evoke a deep sense of loss and grief. Unmet expectations in life also stir up feelings of loss that need to be grieved.
Divorce, or marital separation, can cause compounded grief and a sense of loss that may include the loss of companionship, moving to a new home, and unmet expectations.
Even life’s normal transitions such as having children leave home or experiencing the loss of independence or health can bring on feelings of grief and loss. The elderly often feel great loss as they lose driving privileges or can no longer care for themselves.
