Schmerz…it’s a German word…and it describes the physical and emotional pain we suffer when we face a major loss.

A friend or family member dies after a long fight with illness.

A family pet is put down.

Someone commits suicide.

You suffer a miscarriage.

You lose a limb.

Maybe you lose your hearing.

Or your marriage breaks up.

We fear serious loss…When will it happen? How will it affect me? Will I survive it?

Grief is the natural reaction to loss. It is an exhausting process that robs us of both physical and emotional energy. Everything feels so raw, so painful. We are surprised at the depth of our grief, at the toll it takes on our bodies.

In an upcoming Blog post I will share how your thoughts can affect your physical functioning…and what you can do to help yourself.

(My heart goes out to those affected by the recent shooting rampage in the small idyllic town northeast of Stuttgart, Germany, in which 15 people were killed.)

Friede sei mit euch! (Peace be with you)

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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