Coping with Grief In The Second Year

[Reviewed and updated August 10, 2023]

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling into at night. I miss you like hell.  ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

A reader writes: How does one deal with the overwhelming grief at 14 months and 9 days....for me it is harder and more painful now. Am I crazy Marty? I have not dreamed of my husband since he went to Heaven, except a nightmare the night he died, that they lost him in the tunnels in the hospital. I can't feel him, no one will say his name and I am trying desperately to understand this all. Does it mean that since I cannot dream or feel him that I did something wrong? I feel that way. My doctor/therapist told me that the second year may be harder and she was so right, am I the only person that feels this way?

In Grief: Coming to Terms with Blindness

Image by Anemone123 from Pixabay 

[Reviewed and updated December 7, 2021]

To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.  ~ John Milton

A reader writes: I am searching for some advice on how to help my wife come to terms with the loss of her vision. She was a student of language and literature and a painter. Now she is blind from a disease at the age of 32. We have two remarkable children ages 11 and 12. She is isolating herself more and more. The vibrant woman I have been married to for over 13 years is afraid to go outside or answer the door.

Understanding and Managing Grief, January 27 - February 2, 2019

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

Am I Depressed? http://j.mp/2G5DG5H « Talkspace

My Cat’s Death Broke My Brain, http://j.mp/2G4whDw « Modern Loss

50 Practical Gestures to Help a Grieving Friend, http://bit.ly/2qmUgCq « Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro

In Grief: When Sorrow Is Delayed

[Reviewed and updated May 18, 2025]

My grief lies all within, and these external manners of lament are merely shadows to the unseen grief that swells with silence in the tortured soul.  ~ William Shakespeare

A reader writes: Hello I lost my mum 3 yrs ago, she died suddenly of a heart attack at 41 yrs. I was 19 at the time and had suffered the loss of a friend 7 months prior to mum’s death, as well as the separation with the father of my 14 month old son. After mum died my son, younger sister and i had to move 5 times that year until we were granted government housing. After that, life just kept going and so did i. I feel i have a lot of delayed grief which i wish desperately not to keep bottled up. If you could help me out by sending me some helpful info i would be so very grateful.

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 22 - April 28, 2018

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

Secondary Losses,  http://j.mp/2I4c5Qd « Bryan C. Taylor

Interview: Current Research on Grief Responses, http://j.mp/2FmqbJZ « Open To Hope Radio

Beating A Dead Horse, Or At Least The Word Dead, http://j.mp/2FlnQiq « Laurie Grad

Understanding and Managing Grief, January 28 - February 3, 2018

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

Talking Openly About Suicide, http://j.mp/2rVFVCg « Seleni Institute

I Don't Know Who I Am Anymore: Grief and Loss of Identity, http://j.mp/2GyYXBN « What's Your Grief?

Grief During the Last Stages of His Life, http://j.mp/2Gu1Q6R « Barbara Karnes, RN

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 9 - April 15, 2017

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

Megan Devine: Some things in life can't be fixed, http://bit.ly/2ohD9QH « The Start Up Sessions

Sheryl Sandberg: Option B and Life After Grief, http://ti.me/2nN0f6c « TIME

My Marathon Towards Healing, http://bit.ly/2otgiVB « Maria Shriver