h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"people went to great lengths, even crossing the street as we approached, to avoid talking to us -"

Yes and you almost end up trying to cheer THEM up My lesson was that you want to talk about Alexander, until your legs drop off, you do it. Those who love you will listen time and time again, those who don't, won't. But it sorts the wheat from the chaff Be as miserable as you want for as long as you want. Experience grief fully, don't let anyone use the words "time to get over it". You'll never 'get over it,' it's not that sort of an experience. But what you can do is adapt to it . Centre on the positive memories, even though they are short. Don't bother with sedation of any kind, feel everything until touching on it no longer hurts quite so much. Sedation delays grief, it doesn't cure it.