Psychology Snippets: Grief 2 | Illustration of a bald man in a colorful paisley shirt walking along a lakeside path at sunset, observing black swans, ducklings, a magpie, and a lizard – symbolizing grief, memory, and connection.

Continuing the Conversation: Grief, Memory and Ongoing Bonds

Continuing the Conversation: Grief, Memory and Ongoing Bonds By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist

Grieving Doesn’t Follow Rules

Grieving can be tough, and there is no right way to do it. Grief is shaped by our relationship with the person who passed, our personalities, culture, faith, support systems, and life circumstances. Grief may be expressed outwardly or held quietly within. Expression of grief is a very personal thing and differs greatly between people.

What We Keep After They Are Physically Gone

Something that I have found to be very helpful to consider:

In most cases, while loved ones are still physically here on earth with us, only a small portion of our time is spent physically with them and/or communicating directly with them. Life ending means we lose them physically, but we get to keep what we hold in our hearts and minds.

Continuing the Conversation: Grief, Memory and Ongoing Bonds

We can maintain a dialogue of communication with them. The responses, however, are going to be based on our memories of our loved one’s perspectives, sense of humour, values, interests, biases, hopes, dreams, fears, concerns, and attitudes around topics of shared interest.

While ever we reflect on what we hold in our hearts and minds about our loved ones, a little piece of them lives on in us.

Support and Resources

If you’re navigating grief, you may find the following resources helpful:

  • Hennessy Clinical Psychology
    For grief therapy, and compassionate trauma-informed support in Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast.
    🔗 www.hennessyclinicalpsychology.com
  • Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
    Offers free counselling and support for individuals and families experiencing grief.
    🔗 www.grief.org.au
  • Beyond Blue
    Support for grief, loss, and mental health including 24/7 support lines.
    🔗 www.beyondblue.org.au | 📞 1300 22 4636
  • Lifeline Australia
    24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
    🔗 www.lifeline.org.au | 📞 13 11 14
  • Compassionate Friends Australia
    Support for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents.
    🔗 www.thecompassionatefriends.org.au

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