I recently found the following quote on a website dealing with grief and healing:

"Grief comes in one size ... extra large. If we tuck it away in the bottom drawer where it never sees the light of day, it remains exactly the same. On the other hand, if we wear it, feel it, talk about it, and share it with others, it is likely that it will become faded, shrunk and worn, or will simply no longer fit. When grief has served its purpose, we are able to recognize the many gifts we have gained."

-- Dianne Arcangel, in
Life After Loss : Conquering Grief and Finding Hope