It has taken a long time for me to find my vision of what to write for this final page. I have certainly known the importance of grieving losses and moving on -- not only when it comes to grieving the happy childhood that never was, but also in grieving the loss of people in our lives who we come to know, love, and appreciate in our adult years. I think to cover this subject adequately, I will first focus on the grieving process that needs to unfold after one has lost a loved one (whether it be a family member, co-worker, or cherished pet). After that, I will expand my discussion to include other losses, including the loss of innocence that occurs when a child is sexually and/or physically abused.

In our society, we generally are not taught much about death, dying, or the grieving process. And, if we were taught something, it may be not have been helpful. I am not intending here to belittle the wide variety of cultural traditions that are reflected in our diverse population. No, instead, I am referring to the internal process that needs to take place in order for us to move beyond our losses and reinvest your energies in new relationships and pursuits.