Numbness, loneliness and emptiness eventually give way to adjustment - but this is dif ferent for every individual. Everyone gets to grieve in their own way - no one else has the right to tell us how to do it. Some recover quickly, others take much longer. It is, there fore, important to 'be there' for the individual but not judge them. If you are concerned about the individual, however, please bring this to the attention of someone with experi ence in the field of bereavement so that they can intervene - it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Repetition is an important part of grieving especially at the beginning.
What you will want to listen carefully for is tone of voice, words they use and the overall tone of the story. These are examples of warning bells. Many people might relive previous losses as they work through their feelings about this loss. Some of this is natural and healthy but watch for extreme responses and report them if you are concerned. Remember that being a supportive listener is what the other person needs - if you are too upset or too strongly identified with the event, you will not be helpful to yourself or oth ers.