I’ll take a break from my usual “study abroad and international travel are great and here’s how to make the most out of an amazing situation!” to focus on something that everyone encounters during life – grief.

Loss causes grief. Any loss – a loss of innocence, a loss of life, a loss of a pet, a loss of a relationship, a loss of material goods, a loss of self-worth or direction – is devastating in its own way.

Doubts arise. Misery ensues.

There is an abundance of unanswerable questions.

Acceptance is a joke (and not a funny one at that).

However, I do like the idea of putting the “fun” in “funeral.” It helps me get through some of the tougher times when I can’t see beyond my current feelings.

Also, actively working to spin grief into a celebration of the wonderful person or thing or idea that was lost helps me.

I believe that there is nothing more celebratory than vibrant colors, sounds, and laughter at a memorial service.

The past few months have made me think long and hard about grief, and this is my brain dump about all of the reflections I have had.