When my mom died, I struggled to cope with my grief. I tried to hide it from others, pretending everything was fine. One evening, I attended a friend’s dinner party, but my grief made it difficult to engage in conversation. I noticed a photo of my friend and her mom, which reminded me of the last time my mom visited me in Oregon. The memories overwhelmed me, and I had to find a way to escape and process my emotions. This was a common occurrence for me, as I often felt the need to conceal my grief from others.
