Losing a friend can leave an ache that words can’t fully explain. It’s a quiet, persistent pain that shows up in unexpected moments. You might reach for your phone to send a message, only to realize they’re not there. A memory may surface out of nowhere, or something good happens, and you feel the absence of your friend. Sometimes, the loss comes from death. Other times, it stems from the end of a friendship with someone who is still alive. Both types of loss carry grief, and

In attempting to be "strong" or be strong for others, most people hide their feelings. In effect, when we act strong and cover up our honest emotions, we are lying to those we interact with, and most importantly, we are lying to ourselves. Real strength comes from knowing how to acknowledge and communicate our feelings and not bury them. Grievers are often praised for appearing stoic or unswayed by tragedy. A surviving spouse may have a tremendously difficult task of stayin