12 Things Grief Teaches Us. We often imagine grief as one long, gray road — but living it reveals surprising truths along the way. While loss can be devastating, it can also bring unexpected lessons, reshaping how we see the world, ourselves, and the people we love. Here are twelve things grief has taught people — lessons they didn’t see coming.

On the anniversary of my friend's death, I'm once again reminded that we are not supposed to get over grief. Being an active participant in the rituals of saying goodbye with grace allows us to metabolize grief into something sacred and meaningful.