How many of the following losses would you consider a reason for grieving?

• the death of a loved one
• losing one sock of a favorite pair at the laundermat
• losing your job
• the death of a pet
• getting divorced or breaking up
• losing a tooth
• being raped
• being denied acceptance at a college
• filing for bankruptcy
• an automobile accident
• menopause or middle age
• children leaving home
• missing a party because you had a cold
• being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness
• losing your tomato plants to a freak July frost
• being convicted of a crime
• retirement
• getting mugged in a stadium parking lot
• getting a low grade in an important class
• discovering that there's no Santa Claus
• being prevented from seeing your children or grandchildren
• having a miscarriage
• having your house burglarized
• losing a friend in military combat

If you answered "all of these," you have a better than average understanding of the grief process. Even a small loss can set the natural process of grief and mourning into motion, not just the ones society considers serious.

Three major stages have been recognized in the grieving process. When there's loss of any kind, people experience shock, denial, anger, depression and acceptance. The more serious the loss, the greater the pain and the slower the healing.

Honor your feelings and trust the process. In time, you'll heal in the same way that a broken bone or a wound heals.