Stacy+S.

How Do You Cope? Loss. How do you cope? When should the grieving process be over? It is so different for everyone. I can only speak for myself. I do tell others to be easy on themselves. Do what is right for you. It may make people temporarily uncomfortable but that is ok. I have always spouted out these clichés, but the people who truly know me know it is what I think and not always what I feel or do. How can you help but wonder what is going through the minds of others. Even though people that love me saw me through the hard times and tolerate my relapses, that horrible insecurity creeps in. Again, how do you cope? That dreaded question that I am not always comfortable to respond to. Most of the time, I am fine but there are the times that I am not. When doctors can’t tell you; when your priest can’t tell you; when the world can’t tell you; where do you go? You need to make sense of it yourself. “ I am here and therefore I am strong.” That is my mantra. I am needed by others which gives me a sense of peace. In fact, through tragedy, I feel I have been able to help others and in a way it gives purpose to the unthinkable. Back to the question. How do you cope? **You just do** and maybe, if you’re lucky, you can help someone else find their path.