I wish I remembered my experience better. I do remember the darkness and the light like it was yesterday.

I do remember snippets, like when I came downstairs crying and my mom telling me they have been waiting for me to get to this point in my grief.

I do remember the following year during band practice, needing to find an empty room because our band director’s facial expressions reminded me of my dad and brought me to tears.

Truth be told, I am crying now, as I am writing this, and I still have moments at times throughout the years.

Grief is so very real and sometimes we don’t give it the time and respect it deserves.

Grief is a natural, expected part of our existence.

After all Jesus wept.