ABSTRACT
For human beings, loss is inevitable, and suffering is inevitable. At every turn in our lives, our personhood is vulnerable to assault and injury – our physical being, our family roles, our social and political roles, our relationships, our work, our faith, our past and future. Personal stress or suffering of some extent is universal among people who are dying, even those who have no physical discomfort. It may range from subtle loss of interest in life and a pervasive sense of uneasiness to terrifying, agonizing torment. On the brighter side of grief is the fact that, for many losses, there are ensuing gains. Most of us know someone who has experienced a divorce or the death of a spouse, leaving them not only alone, but perhaps nearly destitute. They were forced to take a new job in order to maintain their home and care for the family.
