Understanding and Managing Grief & Pet Loss, February 5 - February 11, 2023

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

February 14 can be a difficult day for those of us who are grieving, and for some it will be the first Valentine’s Day since our precious Valentine died. For us there is no celebration; there is only grief. Grief Rituals Can Help on Valentine's Day (Or Any Special Day) « Grief Healing

When a person experiences prolonged grief, the original intensity following a loss persists and can interfere with day-to-day life for years afterward. So, for those of us still here, what does it mean to have confronted death in a time of unprecedented societal change? Prolonged grief disorder symptoms afflict many who lost loved ones from COVID-19 « Reuters

Losing a pet can be a devastating experience. The emotions surrounding this event can be complex and overwhelming, leaving pet owners with feelings of sadness, regret, and even anger. Guilt After Putting a Dog to Sleep: Coping with Emotional Pain « ThatClearMind

We just barely got through the winter holiday season and are able to catch our breath, and now Valentine’s Day is coming up . . . for those of us who are grieving the loss of that special person, this can be a time of sadness, tears and deep emotional pain. Dealing with Grief: We made it through the main holidays « Citrus County Chronicle

I was hesitant to sign the girls up, and they weren't sure they wanted to go. We almost never spent nights apart. But I convinced them to try it for at least one night. When I picked them up at the end of the weekend, they didn't want to leave. Grief Camp Helped My Kids When Their Dad Died, Now I Help Kids Like Mine « Psychology Today

"I cannot express in words the anguishing pain I’m feeling.  As vulnerable as I am, I cannot expose my feelings to anyone but the most deeply understanding people, and so I'm not ready to expose myself yet. I've already been further aggrieved by some around me, so can't take even one more slight hurt right now, whether intentional or not." Pet Loss: When Needed Support Is Lacking « Grief Healing

The answer is yes, but it will most likely change you forever, and it’s going to take time. I know that’s the last thing you want to hear, but it’s the truth. 'Will My Grief Ever End?' « Psychology Today 

Humans crave information and closure with the loss of a loved one. When we do not get either, we experience an "ambiguous loss." Ambiguous loss can be invisible to onlookers and may therefore go unacknowledged, leading to isolation and "frozen grief." How to Deal With Invisible Forms of Grief  « Psychology Today

Now more than ever, in the light of everything that is going on in the world, we need to equip children with the skills to navigate emotional terrain – not protect them from it. Books can help children to process emotions while feeling safe. Featuring death and grief in children’s books can equip them with skills to navigate emotional terrain « The Guardian

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