It’s overwhelming to face a tragedy that you never saw coming.

Grief rises up suddenly from the meadows of life like an insurmountable peak. The base is vast and panoramic. You can see nothing beyond the moment and the ascent seems impossible. Even though we are stranded in a woeful valley, it’s apparent that nothing prosperous blooms once the season has passed. There is no reason to linger in a fruitless depression, especially when those who have already crossed over are urging us on. If we simply relent without any effort to lift our selves up, then there is no hope of gaining a new perspective.

I have barely begun to climb, though I can comment on the early stages of the journey. The degree of anguish is immense and difficult to grasp. You will immediately feel the effects in your body. Your legs will tremble and your heart will pound. It seems there is nothing to cling to, and more often than progressing, it will feel like you’re sliding back down.

Each tiny step will drain you completely, and the further you go, the more diminished you will become. The air is so stagnant that it will seem like you’re forgetting to breathe. You will shiver uncontrollably and struggle to function in the bleak atmosphere. Instability is to be expected, and exhaustion will force you to take frequent breaks.

Emotions crumble without warning and crash down on your spirit, adding to the weight of the sorrow that you already bear. Every time you look back, it will feel like you’re falling, and it would be easy to simply let go and plummet into despair. In those moments, you have to hold on to whatever you can. We have to remember that were not on this venture alone. Many hands are reaching out to help us, others are counting on us to pull them up. If we extend ourselves, we might find a way to grasp some sense of normalcy. Or, at least reach a point where we’re able to see things differently.