How many of us have heard at one time or other phrases like “Move on,” “It’s been so long, so move to hope already,” “Why aren’t you feeling better by now?” or “It was just…” when we are dealing with loss?

What do we do when we are years removed from a loss and we have learned to live differently and then something triggers us? 

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? Why is it important to know the difference when dealing with someone who is processing loss?

Both questions are important to understand for yourself and for general reasons. You probably know what the difference feels like even if you can’t put words to the difference.

We interchange loss, grief/grieving, and mourning in our everyday language all the time. We even do it in scripture, at least when it is translated in English. But there are differences to these terms, and we should know them.

We can experience “firsts” with every kind of loss, whether it is a job, a dream, a loved one lost through death, or a loved one lost by circumstance, or ________ (fill in the blank).

When we lose something, it is inevitable we will have the “year of firsts.” What does that mean?