⌜ preface ⌟

For most people, the grieving process goes as follows:

Stage One — Denial
You can't believe that it's real; your mind won't allow you to accept that the person you love, who used to be with you everyday...is suddenly gone. You won't talk about the loss, you can't.

Stage Two — Anger
Many lash out, frustrated that their loved-one is gone and there's nothing that they can do about it, nothing that they could've done to prevent it.

Stage Three — Bargaining
The need to find a way out of the pain and anger that comes from such a sudden and devastating loss. And, for some, making pleas with whatever God they believe in to help them understand why this is happening.

Stage Four — Depression
The helplessness takes hold and drives out the desire and energy to do anything anymore. It's a numbness that feels endless, and it can be overwhelming.

Stage Five — Acceptance
Moving forward with your life, and exploring what's still there with you. Taking control of what's still possible and finding happiness again.

For most, this is where the cycle finally ends. While the pain of losing someone may never go away completely, it's no longer as crippling as it once was.

But there's an unlucky few who the pain doesn't end for:

Stage Six — Repeat
The pain of loss is triggered all over again, and it becomes next to impossible to break the cycle.