Trick question, of course, because there’s no right answer. The most common one is that there’s as many ways to grieve as there are people grieving. Because it’s imminently idiosyncratic.

Some turn to “talk therapy”. Others to nature. Others to literature about the impermanence of things. Others to Buddhism or Christian scriptures and prayer or meditation. Still others to varied combinations of those and other forms. What do you do?

Sporadically, waves of sadness born of layered losses hit me. Instrumental music, especially the soundtrack I created for Lynn’s final months, routinely melts my heart. As does cycling by my daughter’s cottage.

This morning, a friend said maybe I should try grieving more deliberately. What, like set a regular day and time aside for it? That’s crazy talk. Kidding of course. I liked the idea, and thought to myself, why not start today.

My go to, beyond music, are photos and videos of Lynn, almost all pre-MSA. Almost all the short videos are of her taking her glasses off and entering mountain lakes or the Salish Sea. Celebrating. Smiling. Absolute peak happiness.

While deliberately leaning in today, an epiphany of sorts. I wonder how Lynn’s legion of friends are dealing with their loss? I’ve been so overwhelmed by mine, I haven’t thought about theirs nearly enough.