We often hear that time heals all wounds – but when it comes to grief, it’s not such a linear path it loops, drops and twists without warning – like a steep rollercoaster ride you never asked to ride. One moment you are steady, then suddenly, a memory hits, and your stomach drops.
Noone tells you how physical it can feel – Years can pass, and out of nowhere, a song, a memory, a scent can bring back the same feeling of grief as if no time has passed. You try to hold on, hoping the ride will slow down. Grief has its own rules, it doesn’t follow ours, it only changes shape.
Over time, the turns are gentler. The drops from the ride still come, but you start to trust yourself to handle them. Healing isn’t about forgetting. It’s about feeling and acknowledging the grief when it does arise. Maybe that’s what healing is – not getting off the ride, but learning to breathe through each loop, drop and twist, knowing you will reach ground level soon.