Grief is about ebb and flow, good days and bad. It never runs a straight line. When we feel we are making progress, a bad day can be disappointing. Weeks with few tears can be followed by a night of crying. A smooth return to work can be disrupted by a valued co-worker's departure, which can trigger feelings of loss. As the executor of the estate, you discover a debt that leaves you feeling betrayed.

"Backward" steps can make us critical of ourselves and ashamed. Think of these instead as a time of forced learning, requiring you to dig deep yet again to find courage.

Thinking about the content in this chapter may help you move through loss and regain some happiness and well-being.