It can creep up on me,
Sweeping over, engulfing that moment.
I try to rush to the surface of the bewilderment,
Take a breath,
Questioning how that happened so silently.
Sigh, I remember now,
Life has changed as I once knew it.
I think of what Dad would want for me, what he would say,
The wave calms, leaving some ripples in its wake.
*Carla wrote this poem to share her experience of grief since the passing of her father to cancer last year.
Thank you to everyone who has been in contact with us and shared their story, We would be honoured to hear about your loved ones. If you are interested in taking part please do get in touch by emailing info@thelossfoundation.org.
*Name changed upon request.
🧠 Explore How the ‘Stages of Grief’ Work
The “stages” of grief are one of the most familiar frameworks people turn to when trying to understand loss – yet they’re often interpreted too literally.
Our Stages of Grief guide breaks down where the model came from, what each stage represents, and how it can offer insight without suggesting grief moves in tidy steps.
Explore the page to learn:
🧭 Why grief shifts over time rather than progressing in order
🌊 How emotions can rise and fall in waves
🧩 Other grief models that may resonate more deeply with your experience