I was so reluctant to post these images because from my limited experience of grief combined with our collective societal take on social media, I was worried it would give the wrong impression that I’m doing fine. I’m not fine. Far from it. But then I thought, I’m going to say it how it is , at least from my perspective, so anyone who can’t yet relate to the pain grief causes (as they haven’t experienced it) - can have a glimpse into what it’s like. So they can better understand what their friends/colleagues/loved ones are going through but also perhaps be better prepared for it in the future. Grief is all consuming. It’s all you can think about, even though you can still find a moment to smile or a few hours to spend laughing...It sits there, waiting for an opportunity to remind you that the person you love is gone and there’s no chance of speaking to them, hearing their voice or hugging them tight. It’s the never ending feeling that even in moments of happiness and joy, the bitter pangs of sadness will soon creep in. The realisation that your loved one would have really enjoyed the joke, story or the smallest moment of life’s most irrelevant but blissful interactions. But they can’t. So you mourn for your own loss. But also for theirs. You mourn for so much that has gone. But somehow you still try to put one foot in front of the other and keep going because you must. For yourself, for your loved ones and for your sanity. For the life they can no longer live. Whilst you still can. I keep reading about how things will get better one day, at least partially. I can’t really begin to see or imagine how. But I remain hopeful, as that’s what my Dad would have wanted for me and for all of us ❤️