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Grief Must Be Acknowledged - A Valid Human Emotion
Grief in the World of Covid-19 - Anger and Fear
The Covid-19 virus has turned the world upside down in a matter of days. No one can escape the shock, fear, denial, anger and/or pain that surround it.
It is not at all unusual to be thinking “why me…why am I sick?” And for the multitudes who are not sick from the virus there is the thoughts of unemployment, lack of money, fear of going outside, grocery shopping, loneliness and more lead to sleepless nights and almost nonstop panic.
We are all experiencing a form of grief. Grief is very personal and certainly surrounds the death of a loved one. We have to recognize that we can’t escape grief. Elizabeth Kubler–Ross in her book "On Death and Dying" identified the five stages of grief.
Everyone does not go through every stage – and certainly not in the exact same order. But we all do experience emotional changes because of grief.
It seems scary to many for me to suggest that these days are a good time to consider admitting that we are all going to die.
The Coronavirus is no different. It could be a cause of death. More importantly, it is an opportunity to work a bit harder to get your head around the need to make death a normal part of life. We are all going to die. Period.
The stages of grief include:
• Denial (and shock)
• Anger (which can include pain and guilt)
• Bargaining (if you don’t let my family get sick I promise to….)
• Depression (and resultant loneliness)
• Acceptance (and making plans)
Grief is very real. Let yourself grieve. Be patient with yourself. Let others you love know that you understand their grief. Work to help them study the grieving process.
You probably have some unexpected time on your hands. Why not use it to develop a way to have the necessary conversation about death and planning with yourself – and with someone you love. We don’t know when we will die. But we do know that we will die.
also
We have countless jokes online and in person about nonstop phone calls at all hours begging you to extend your car warranty - even when you don't own a car! But we don't talk about death. AND we all have death in common!
Upon death, even if your legal paperwork is completed will there be problems? Tell others about your wishes. Make changes as often as you want but be sure your loved ones know. Problems arise when loved ones disagree. Money can do that to wills.
You don't have to discuss death daily. Yet you need to face that we all will die. Give yourself a rest sometimes but remember that each day is precious.