Exploring
lived grief
I have no training in grief except for my own experiences. I have studied it in my body, every day. My lived grief hangs about me as I move through the world, always present. It gets quiet, small and unobtrusive, but it can also get loud, overwhelming every other emotion. The full range of sound is an evergreen playlist that
keeps repeating.
THE MAIN CHARACTERS
Charlotta Elaine Cook Grover
Mother, 1951 - 2014
The images of her holding the grandkids are the most desired. They love to look at themselves wrapped in her arms, which were always a safe place to be. She held us all in her love.
She was many things and influenced so many people. She was an only child, and always wanted a big family. Although she accomplished many things and influenced so many people, her greatest accomplishment was her family.
Her 7 children and 15 grandchildren live to honor her.
Children: Emily, Alisa, Amelia, Thomas, Breanne, Nathan, Samuel
Grandchildren: Cora, Ethan, Grace, Hyrum, Logan, Becca, Jacob, Lissie, Elle, William, Charlotte, Owen, Bennett, Maggie, Anna
Breanne Grover
Daughter, 1981 - present
I started writing to explore my own grief. It was therapeutic, and it helped me work through my feelings. Early on, I realized that grief wasn’t just something to work through and then move on from. My grief would always be with me.
There were many insightful representations of life after loss, focused on the first days, weeks, and months of separation. But what would long grief look like? How would grief feel 5 years on? 10 years on?
Long grief, like all grief, is personal and unique to each person and each relationship. Hopefully, this exploration will help those who life with grief.
