I’ve had a lot of time for reflection in my long car rides back and forth to CT to visit my dad over these recent months, as his health has declined precipitously. I’ve been struck by the very physical impact of sadness and loss. It has not only shown up as a felt sense in my body (e.g., heaviness in my heart, sinking at times in the pit of my stomach), but has consumed a good amount of energy and mental/emotional space (fatigue at times, difficulty concentrating, exhaustion for no apparent reason). I have been blessed to share nearly sixty years with my dad, and he has been blessed with a long and vibrant life. Still, there is profound sadness and grief at the end of life that is unavoidable, palpable, and sometimes overwhelming.
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