7 Stages of Grieving

When you loose someone you love there are 7 stages of grief you will go through...so they say. I believe there are stages but I don't think you "have" to go through all of them to reach the final stage. 1.) Shock and Denial~ I was in a little bit of shock, but since I saw Jenn's health decline over the past two years it was not a shock. If that makes since. 2.) Pain and Guilt~ Obviously, this is a given. Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda. 3.) Anger and Bargaining~ I believe I am dealing with this now. I am angry...at Jenn, and that is all I will say. 4.) "Depression", Reflection, Loneliness~ this is the stage I dread the most. If I refuse this stage it will only prolong my grief and then I will go back into Denial, which I think is a waste of energy. So I will embrace the Reflection, surround myself with loved ones, and stay busy. I am not one to wallow. 5.)The Upward Turn~ learning to adjust. I am so thankful that I don't live in Roanoke and that Jenn and I were "phone" friends the last several years. I miss my phone ringing but I think adjusting to it not ringing will be the easiest stage. 6.) Reconstruction and Working Through~ I believe this stage would be more for loosing a spouse and not a best friend. But I will have to learn to play 'devil's advocate' in my brain to work through problems I used to call her to help me solve. 7.) Acceptance and Hope......one day I will be here and feel only joy and love that I had Jenn in my life for the small amount of time she was on Earth. I will be able to shower her daughter in memories of her, the Jenny I grew to love and understand over the years. With all this said, I am dealing. But I will take a few days to get over the anger since that is where I am at and I don't want it to be reflected in my writing about a beautiful person, I love and miss.