And after my mother's death I became more open to and empathetic about other people's struggles and losses.

But there is a discomfort that surrounds grief. It makes even the most well-intentioned people unsure of what to say. And so many of the freshly bereaved end up feeling even more alone.

Faith does help mourners survive their loss, some studies suggest; but I imagine one still struggles.

There is always tension in women's gymnastics between athleticism, grace, performance, and eros.

Be patient with yourself. Don't make the loss harder by thinking you should be a certain way, or have bounced back, etc.

Time doesn’t obey our commands. You cannot make it holy just because it is disappearing.

There is no single way of grieving. But research suggests that there are some broad similarities among grievers.