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Bereavement

Bereavement wipes out everything

(196 Posts)
Coffeedrinkingthinker Wed 06-May-26 19:25:29

Im not recently bereaved but my thoughts today left me remembering how bereavement wipes out everything for a while and how mindnumbing it becomes for anyone in the process of grieving.
The whole world seems to turn to cardboard and it becomes impossible to understand that other people are capable of enjoying their daily lives.
Of course, as we know, these emotions pass and time is a great healer until finally we find we too can look forwards to happier times.
So, for all you people newly bereaved or just hit with memories, this is just to remind you that there is light at the end of the tunnel and grief does eventually fade away.

SueDonim Thu 07-May-26 12:18:58

I am currently drowning in a sea of grief. The waters may calm a bit but I’ll never be on dry land again.

barmcake Thu 07-May-26 12:06:36

Kate1949

My mother died when I was 23, my sister was left without her mother at 14. My in-laws both died in 1971, both in their 50s, leaving an 1 year old son. My brother took his own life at 24. My nephew died of leukemia at 16. I was visiting him in hospital when he died. His mother never got over it (obviously) and died of a heart attack aged 49 leaving a young son. It is far from easy. flowers for you all.

You've had more than your fair share of deaths, and in really tragic circumstances. You must be a strong person to deal with all that.

My brother took his own life too. There's a me before it happened and a me after. I feel quite numb to everything. There's a Motorhead song where he sings 'win some, lose some, it's all the same to me. If I gambled on a horse for instance, it wouldn't matter whether I lost or won, I just don't feel anymore.

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 11:50:48

And of course you don't have to tell us anything.

Magenta8 Thu 07-May-26 11:50:13

I can only speak for myself Coffeedrinkingthinker but I apologise if I posted anything to 'set you off'. You are clearly very upset and you have my sincere sympathy.

Is your latest post aimed at anyone in particular or are we all guilty?

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 11:49:18

You certainly didn't offend me. It's good to put things down and know that you're not alone.

Coffeedrinkingthinker Thu 07-May-26 11:46:44

As grief is so personal I regret ever mentioning the sea of grief that people hold within.
I really didnt mean to offend you.
But I am clearly different to you all.
And thats O.K.
We are all different in some way .

Coffeedrinkingthinker Thu 07-May-26 11:35:45

To all of you who still have raw bereavement I was actually trying to offer a little hope and consolation.

Coffeedrinkingthinker Thu 07-May-26 11:33:35

Interesting how you can assume I have no knowledge of grief!
Remarkable even.
Im not going to share my losses with you.
I just dont feel compelled to.
I wasnt saying it was easy but my experience is that grief fades from its original sucker punch to the stomach and over time, the misery and pain diminishes.
Its an emotive subject and maybe you thought it was thoughtless of me to mention it over a bank holiday when we're all suppossed to be jumping around like happy little bunnies.
It was an anniversary day and perhaps thats what prompted me to write it.
But I will NEVER TELL YOU WHO MY LOSSES ARE.

Cossy Thu 07-May-26 10:14:28

Kate1949

*Cossy*. I agree re the people on here. They are a comfort. Sometimes when I've posted I think 'Oh dear that was such a misery fest' but have been met with nothing but understanding and kindness.

🩷🩷

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 10:07:48

Cossy. I agree re the people on here. They are a comfort. Sometimes when I've posted I think 'Oh dear that was such a misery fest' but have been met with nothing but understanding and kindness.

merlotgran Thu 07-May-26 10:06:50

I’m one of the walking wounded but I’ll leave it at that!
Moving on from a time when bereavement defines you is exhausting but the new normal can bring joy in a different way.
Onwards and upwards!

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 10:04:26

Together with the horrible childhood and subsequent events, sometimes it's a struggle to find a bright side. Somehow we carry on.

Cossy Thu 07-May-26 10:03:37

The outpouring of support and emotion on here illustrates so well how lovely every single one of you GNs truly are.

Despite robust debate and polar opposite opinions in some subjects, where and when it counts, you are all beautiful souls.

Thank you thanks

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 10:01:12

Yes indeed Cossy. Tovwt

Cossy Thu 07-May-26 10:01:00

Pebbles101

I thought yes that’s a good way to put it - wipes everything out. This year my 22y granddaughter died suddenly and I am still long term slowly grieving the slow loss my of husband of 53 years whilst he deteriorates with MND . I think my life as I expected it to be at 70 is wiped out and any control of things is gone . So no I don’t think it will ever get any better.

Sending hugs thanks

Cossy Thu 07-May-26 09:58:59

Kate1949

My mother died when I was 23, my sister was left without her mother at 14. My in-laws both died in 1971, both in their 50s, leaving an 1 year old son. My brother took his own life at 24. My nephew died of leukemia at 16. I was visiting him in hospital when he died. His mother never got over it (obviously) and died of a heart attack aged 49 leaving a young son. It is far from easy. flowers for you all.

How utterly awful, such a lot for one human to go through. 💐

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 09:58:28

Thank you FGT. Very understanding of you especially with what you've been through. Not easy this life.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Thu 07-May-26 09:51:43

So many walking wounded in life. x

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Thu 07-May-26 09:50:23

Gracious Kate1949 that’s a whole litany of tragedy and grief. Hard to read and comprehend, unbearable I imagine to experience 💐

And Pebbles your post made my cry. 💐

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 09:43:41

That should read an 11 year old son not a 1 year old.

Kate1949 Thu 07-May-26 09:41:49

My mother died when I was 23, my sister was left without her mother at 14. My in-laws both died in 1971, both in their 50s, leaving an 1 year old son. My brother took his own life at 24. My nephew died of leukemia at 16. I was visiting him in hospital when he died. His mother never got over it (obviously) and died of a heart attack aged 49 leaving a young son. It is far from easy. flowers for you all.

Cossy Thu 07-May-26 09:35:15

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I think a virtual group hug is in order don’t you for those of us struggling or trying to come to terms with loss. Grief is messy and complicated. I’m having weekly bereavement counselling sessions and have come to realise (a) how individual grief is and (b) it’s not linear.

flowers 🤗🤗🤗

Cossy Thu 07-May-26 09:15:16

Both my parents are dead , as many here also. I’m an only child and was very close to them both, I watched my DM grieve for the rest of her life 2016-2022, her grief for her DH never ever faded.

I can empathise with people, but not having a husband or child die, I can never really understand.

A longstanding friend’s husband died in 2016, she was 56, he was 66. She was, naturally, devastated and wanted to end her life. She didn’t however, and slowly but surely rebuilt her life and came to terms with her loss and “new” life.

She has met a new partner, she’ll never marry him, but they do live together and have a nice life. She’ll never forget her husband, she still grieves, but discretely and silently. She simply didn’t want to live the rest of her life alone.

My heart is with her and everyone else grieving flowers

Magenta8 Thu 07-May-26 09:09:37

FriedGreenTomatoes Well said. Hers a virtual hug from me (((( ))))

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Thu 07-May-26 09:02:56

I think a virtual group hug is in order don’t you for those of us struggling or trying to come to terms with loss. Grief is messy and complicated. I’m having weekly bereavement counselling sessions and have come to realise (a) how individual grief is and (b) it’s not linear.