The death of a loved one can feel sudden, unexpected,and drastic loss. The pain cannot be described, andno scale can measure the loss. We want so much for our lovedone to return so that we can do something, and we ache knowingthat it just can’t happen. You need to know that it’s okay to grieve.

Tears release the flood of sorrow of missing the oneyou love. Tears relieve the brute force of hurt, enablingus to “level off” and continue our cruise along the stream of life.Shedding tears is not a sign of weakness-it is a sign of ourhuman nature and emotions of deep despair and sorrow.You need to know that it’s okay to cry.

We do not need to “prove” that we loved the personwho has died. As the months pass, we are slowly able to movearound with less outward grieving each day. We need notfeel “guilty”, for this is not an indication that we love less.It only means that, although we don’t like it, we are learningto accept death and its nality of the pain our loved onesuered. It’s a healthy sign of healing. You need to knowthat it’s okay to heal.

Laughter is not a sign of “less” grief. Laughter is not a sign of“less” love. It’s a sign that many of our thoughts and memoriesare happy ones and our dear one would have wanted us tolaugh again. You need to know it’s okay to laugh.