Reflection On Grief

The grief that death or any loss can cause to an individual is something that is common and through the duration of this course on Transition, Death, & Loss is extensively identified and learned about. In some cases, the loss can be in the form of a non-death experience such as a job, a home, or a relationship. The reason why we grief may be different scenarios such as these and is not just limited to a loss by death. Grief is natural and needed to move past a situation of loss. In the book, Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy by J. William Worden he states grief is a broad range of feelings and behaviors that are common in people after a loss (Worden, 2008, p.17). At times these feeling can vary, which is what describes the 5 stages of grief.

Once the depression is overcome some the final stage of acceptance. To gain more insight on how to observe grief and see examples, we read 2 other books. The first on is called A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis which shows and reflects on a personal experience by the author of dealing with a death of a loved one. The other book we read is called The Death Of Ivan Ilych by Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy which describes Ivan Ilych life while learning that he is chronically ill and is getting worse. The two interesting books have two very different views on grief. C.S. Lewis book shows the process of grief coming from a loved one that has passed, while Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy book speaks about grief that comes with a loss when the person that is affected is yourself. Although they do not share the same take/or view on grief, what can be implied is that they are both experiencing the 5 stages of grief. The book on A Grief Observed, and The Death of Ivan Ilych show how grief must be processed through all stages and accepted to successfully move past a

The depression that comes after bargaining and fighting the anger that has been working through will ultimately lead to acceptance also known as the final stage of grief. The depression of the two different characters vary. In Lewis book, way it is written by him you get this feeling that is depressed through most of the book. So it would only be right that towards the ending he would hit this final stage of acceptance. On the other hand, Ivan is not very noticeably depressed. He has worries and sorrows for what future is set to hold for him. This would make anybody depressed, but learning what worries him and bring down his spirit ultimately lead to his acceptance also. Acceptance is not a new-found happiness of one spirit after a loss. Kubler-Ross describes acceptance as a “void of feelings” (loc.1964). This does not mean that acceptance does not bring peace because, in fact, it does. In the two-story, the build up to acceptance is very different in the involvement of people, but ultimately are quite similar in how they obtain this acceptance. In the story of Lewis, he challenges his faith and mankind all before accepting the death of H. and building hope of a new day. Lewis writes, “ She is in God’s hands” ( p.49), which after he states that he “ gains a new energy when he thinks of her as a sword” (p.49). This expression of words, I feel state his acceptance of her death. If I was working with him