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Daily Bread
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
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Grief is a normal, healthy response to loss. One of the greatest losses that can occur is the death of someone you love. The intensity of grief changes over time and through personal growth. Some of the most typical emotional and physical reactions include the following:
Common Physical Reactions
- Numbness
- Tightness in the throat or chest
- Shortness of breath
- Sensitivity to loud noises
- Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Agitation and restlessness may also be experienced.
Common Emotional Reactions
- Shock: The physical and emotional shock may be prolonged. Persistent memories or dreams about the event may occur for months. Talking or writing about it can help to break the cycle of obsessive thoughts.
- Fear and Anxiety: Simple activities, like taking a shower, being in the dark or opening a closed door, may cause fear or anxiety. This is a normal response, but if the anxiety prevents normal routine for a prolonged period, it's important to see a physician or therapist.
- Guilt: Someone might feel guilt over things that were done, or not done, regrets about the past and guilt for surviving. Much of the guilt that people feel is emotional and not rational, but knowing this does not help to alleviate those feelings. When guilt persists, people are often helped to deal with it in support groups or with a therapist.
- Anger: Anger and rage come from the feelings of helplessness and powerlessness one feels after a traumatic death and can be overwhelming for family members. There are many support and advocacy groups to help deal with the anger brought about in traumatic death.
Ways to Remember
From photo collages at a memorial service to planting a tree, there are many ways we can remember a loved one. Here are some ideas:
- Lighting a candle in his/her memory
- Creating a memory book of photos of your loved one
- Donating a gift of money or time to those less fortunate
- Wearing a photo pin of your loved one
- Starting a memorial scholarship fund in his/her name
- Writing a poem or story about him/her
- Visiting a place you both liked to visit
- Hanging a special ornament on the tree in his/her memory
- Playing his/her favorite music
- Making a quilt from his/her favorite clothes
- Sharing memories with friends and family
- Providing memorial flowers at your church or synagogue
- Creating a memory box of items that were special
- Honoring his/her favorite tradition
- Reading aloud your favorite story
Other Grief Resources on the Web
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Baptist Trinity Center for Good Grief
6141 Walnut Grove
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 767-6767
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Health Care Services 
