I understand your point, Valerie. I don’t necessarily agree with the article in the newsletter. Each life has the same value. One who is taken violently is not more important than one who dies peacefully in their sleep, although they are likely to be featured in the news for some time. My point was that the circumstances surrounding a violent death have an added dimension of shock due to the very nature of the act. Just as we watched in horror at the mass shootings at Columbine, Aurora, Florida, Sandy Hook and the terror attacks on the Twin Towers, we are shocked in a different way than when our grandmothers pass. It doesn’t diminish grandma’s life or the pain of her passing. This is just my own personal opinion. My heart is with you in the tragic loss of your son. ❤️

I can see your point, Rosemary. I am so sorry you lost your son and daughter-in-law. As I wrote this, I was “processing out loud” which is what I often do. I should hope no one would say to the bereaved, “Your grief is the worst.” Grief is grief and all grief is terribly difficult. There isn’t a ranking system. Yet, I have read that psychologists say death by suicide or violence are unique. My goal here is to validate people’s feelings and suggest ways of coping with the difficulties of life. Death by violence is uncommon enough that if it touches your circle, one likely is at a loss in how to process that. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. It had to have been incredibly difficult. ❤️