The Sadness

The loss of a child must be almost unbearable, my heart goes out to you.
And, yes, sadness is like a physical pain at times, somewhere in the middle,
the solar plexus. You are absolutely not mad....
Sending my best wishes to you.

Oh Phoenix, the loss of a child must fall under the banner of 'unbearable sadness'.

Almost every day i think of my beloved Grandma who died almost fourteen years ago, the heartache is a real, physical pain.

Not mad, not in the slightest.

No phoenix you are not mad. I was thinking along similar lines only last week after attending the funeral of my last remaining aunt. I have lost both parents, grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles (we were a very close family) and a very dear friend. I was thinking that I have lost more people than I still have and I just wanted to see my mum again. The pain and the longing was, as you say, physical.

The loss of a child must be on another level altogether x

Not in the slightest, Phoenix - neither remembering those whom you loved(d) and lost nor in the pysical sensation.
When the July bombs went off, 2 of our DDs were in London and were likely to be in areas affected. I was teaching, but had tried to contact by mobile in morning break and when I was told phone services were not available, my reaction was entirely physical. That phrase "insides turned to water" could not have been more true and I fled to the nearest loo. It was not until I had contacted DD1 in Leeds, who emailed DD3 at work and could reassure me she was safe , as was DD2, thaat my imsides returned to normal.
An entirely physical reaction to the fear and stress!