If you haven’t cried as an expression of your grief and you have a lot of pent up emotions, try it…see how it feels. Chances are you’ll feel better.

It doesn’t mean you are weak if you cry.

Crying isn’t just for babies.

You won’t get hysterical. Your body will know when to stop:

Right after Cindy’s funeral service, I stood by her closed coffin. Atop was a photo of Cindy—the picture that’s now on the cover of my book, “Who Killed My Sister, My Friend?” It was torture to have to say goodbye. As wave after wave of intense sorrow washed over me, I was almost brought to my knees. Both my parents held me in a hug and let me sob until at last I looked at them and said, “I’m OK now.”

When the pain of death seems too much to bear and you’re afraid to give in to it, allow yourself to go into “the ditch” and flounder around in the mud. You will be able to climb out. I did—many times! And it got easier each time!

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James