Sharing.... Grief

 Sharing " Grief"

Dr Tripti Milind Galgali
Hubli.

One morning, WhatsApp of one group was full of everyone posting their Heartfelt condolences to a friend who lost his dear mother.
The next day ,I called him up.Initially was hesitant to call.Most nowadays don't answer to numbers not in their contact list for fear of Spam calls.Some dont answer due to work commitments and I had called up during working hours. Also there are so many rituals following death in all communities. The phone kept on ringing at the other end.
I was about to cut .....
" Hello Tripti.How are you?"

The familiar voice of a classmate who had studied with me but we had never been in contact for years after that except for a few messages on WhatsApp.

A brief conversation about how strong his mother was ,her brave fight the last few months......
Brief but emotional.

Digitalisation and Professional commitments have got us expressing feelings on virtual media.
Emojis convey all emotions including " Grief".

But can the Emoji share " Grief"?

In Hindu religion, we have a 13day ritual following the death of a person. All Family members, Friends and neighbors gather and offer heartfelt condolences physically.
Today's Generation questions such rituals.
Also Professional commitments doesn't give us time to perform such long elaborate rituals nor do we find time to attend one.

Significance of Elaborate long Rituals-

A passing away of any dear loved person brings Grief.
If the Grief is not allowed to be expressed.....
If adequate time is not allowed to heal from the underlying Grief.....
If you bury inside you the emotions of Grief.....
It stays forever .....just like unhealthy wound.....detrimental for one's physical and mental health.

Grief requires time to heal.
Paucity of Time.....
False Ego of being strong to overcome all emotions.....
We feel if we keep ourselves busy physically, we will overcome Grief.
We feel isolation will help us to heal in due course of time.

But in reality, it leads to Loneliness.

Grief needs to be shared.
I tell you about mine....You open up about yours.....
Physically.
In Reality.....
Not through Virtual Media or Emojis.

Dear Friends,
Please don't hesitate to call up or meet personally to share Emotions especially Grief.
Please don't be in a hurry to overcome Grief. Give yourself adequate time to heal.

Time is precious. We all are Busy.

But do Find that Time to Share, at least Grief.....