I'm Not a Mourning Person

grief

• Grief isn't linear. It will work us over in whatever way it wants, and on its own damn schedule. We can't amputate any of our emotions and expect to be whole.

  INMP-RC-004

• Only cry in the shower. No one will see you, and you won't wreck your mascara — wisdom given to me when my father was dying.

  INMP-RC-002

mortality

• When our evolutionary drive to survive collides with our inevitable realization that we will all eventually die, we freak the fuck out. Terror ensues.

  INMP-RC-045

• One minute I was centered and calm. The next minute I'd be planning the guest list for my funeral. What kind of food would be served?

  INMP-RC-031

• Two days after Dad died, my mom and I went for a walk on the beach. It was Valentine's Day, my 18-year cancerversary, and her first Hallmark holiday without him.

  INMP-RC-084

trauma-and-survival

• It's my fault. There must be something wrong with me. I'm bad. These are common beliefs buried in the shameful wounds of trauma.

  INMP-RC-061