Healing After Loss explains to us how hikers who have lost the exhilaration of starting their hike and can't see the end of the path, often call this the "middle-miles."  Grief's journey, though different than the hikers climb, does have stages.  For example in the early days/weeks of our grieving we have others to help get us through those early, shocking moments.  However once the initial "I'm here for you", fades, we realize that we are on our own.  It's about that same time that we doubt we'll ever get back our old selves/energy and/or passion for life.  Yet we see others who have gone through the same grief and actually feel and look better.  Why not us too?  After weeks of the same feelings of despair, we begin to wonder that perhaps we just won't have light or joy again.

A reminder:  like the hikers and their "middle-miles" state of mind, we must continue to push ahead.  We will get our lives back and we will look back and be proud of what we've accomplished.

"I believe in the top of the mountain even when I can't see it."