These words of an elderly woman at the loss of her husband through death reveal how devastating it is for us to lose something we do not want to give up.
Many experts believe that the death of a spouse is the most difficult loss one experiences in life.
People endure many of the same types of feelings when they suffer the loss of a spouse through divorce, the loss of children when they grow up and leave home, when they lose their jobs, or when they realize that their dreams will never come true. The emotional response to loss is called grief. Grief is a very difficult emotional response with which to cope because of the pain and sadness associated with losing someone we cherish. Two factors helpful in coping with grief are understanding the feelings experienced by those who grieve, and knowing where we can find help. The most common feelings shared by those who grieve are shock, denial, anger, guilt and depression.