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

I came across an interesting statement on one of my other support boards.

“Support groups are so important. We need to go thru the stages grief to come to true acceptance - or at least honest acknowledgement. Grief is not just for when a loved one dies -although it definitely is necessary then - but when life throws us any kind of nasty curve that changes all our hopes and plans.”

When I saw N last week, I commented on how important support groups are. No matter how much training any counselor receives, unless they have experienced the actual trauma, they can only empathize. That is was the best rape counselors have been raped themselves. N agreed with me.

As much as I hate to give J any credit, she was right to say I needed to treat the issue with Shawn and Angel as a grief issue – BUT not as a death issue but rather as a bad things happens to good people issue.

Most articles I have read refer to the five stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, despair and acceptance. They also have indicated that even though you have reached acceptance, things can trigger you back to one of the other stages.

I am at the acceptance stage. I have done everything I can and now it is time to move on.

Wow, thats good. You can now save your energy for yourself and for when she is old enough to come to you of her own accord - cause I am sure she will!

Well done, and don't worry if the feeling doesn't last, and don't worry if it does - both are allowed!