Let’s talk about grief
with Real People
Answers from Hayley C.
Learning to live with losing her Father.
Who did you lose?
Father
How old were they?
64
How long have you been grieving?
11 years
What's your fondest memory of the person you lost?
Not necessarily a single memory but I always say that my dad set unrealistic expectations of men. How many men have randomly bought me home Malteasers on a Tuesday night?!
What emotions did you feel within your first year of grief?
Initial shock and sadness. For a long time I guess I was in denial and just got on with life, but to some extent now life almost feels like a blur and I don’t know how I felt.
How do you prefer people to comfort/mention it?
I'd prefer people not mention it and I just like carrying on as normal
Have you had any type of therapy for your grief?
No, but I’d like to
Hayley’s message to anyone struggling with grief
Don’t be afraid to talk about it; I held back for a long time as I found it easier to talk to people who experienced loss of a parent as others kind of wanted to know the details but not how I was feeling.
I now think that you should talk about it because if people don’t want to know how you feel, you have the wrong people in your life. Embrace how you are feeling, your true friends will shine through.