Dr Sibu Qhogwana

The mourning period may end, but grief remains with us in so many ways. It is not possible to completely let go of someone who has been a part of your life in such a special way.  1. Grief and memory Grief is also about memory and for some people “the end” of grief may feel like one is forgetting about their loved one . So grief is sometimes a way of preserving the deceased through memory. The memories can be pleasant and at times painful, especially when filled with longing for the physical presence of the deceased.  2. Does time heal? We often hear that time heals. I often wonder if it is really time that heals or the mind learns to adjust to life without the deceased because there is no other option? The permanency of death in terms of physical absence gives us no option, but to eventually learn to navigate life in the absence of our loved ones. Sometimes the thought that the deceased would expect their loved one to continue with life in their absence is what may encourage ...

Grief is an emotional and behavioural response experienced because of loss. We have always talked about grief and we need to continue the conversations, especially in the context of many different losses experienced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.    1. Normalcy of grief    Grief is a normal response to an experience of any kind of loss. A response does not always imply a presence of emotions, as numbness is also a response for some people.    2. Universal yet a unique experience   The experience of grief has some universal elements; however, it can be expressed in many unique ways. It is therefore important that people are allowed to express their grief in ways that are unique and helpful for their journey. Although grief can be a collective experience, it can also be a unique experience because of many factors. In case of loss of a loved one through death, the unique factors are the nature of the relationship with the deceased, ...