The Unexpected Loss of My Mother and The Grief Process

February 18, 2014,  my husband and sister took my mother to her doctors appointment because she had not been feeling well.  My mother had been an active and successful Real Estate Broker in the Sacramento area.  Her doctor took a long hard look at her and decided to admit her into the hospital for observation and testing.  So my family wheeled her across the street to the hospital where  she ended up staying for exactly one week.  On the one week anniversary she was discharged to a rehabilitation facility.

My Mom was alert, cheerful, and maintained her sense of humor for her entire stay in the rehabilitation facility.  Unfortunately, on March 24th at 7:06 am she passed away.  Basically, we had 41 day from her being admitted to the hospital to making funeral arrangements.   It has been a whirlwind!

Two months ago tomorrow is when this all began.  Tomorrow April 18th would have been my mother’s 80th birthday.  It is also Good Friday, Easter and  Greek Easter weekend.  My Mother was Greek and it is rare that Easter and Greek Easter fall on the same day.  This year it all lines up.

I know how important is is to go through all the cycles of grief: Denial, pain and guilt, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. Much easier said than done but I am making myself do through this process as many times as need be.