Death and dying are natural and predictable elements of everyday life, yet Western society shies away from the topic. In this book, we permit grief in every form to have the space it deserves.

In modern society, grief can feel like a four-letter word.

The average length of bereavement leave in the United States is two to five days, with most companies averaging three days for an immediate family member and one day for extended loved ones.

When you consider how quickly the wheels of capitalism ask you, the cog, to continue turning, it's no wonder that we discuss death and dying with such hesitation.

We don't have time to process death, let alone have a candid conversation about emotional health and mental wellness.

I am a doctoral-prepared Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and have worked as an intensive care unit nurse for the majority of my 13-year healthcare career.

While I am not a grief counselor or therapist, I have experienced the many-colored versions of grief that exist among patients and their families countless times.

The unexpected loss of my own mother forced me to further inspect the process of grieving, both in a literal and intangible way.

While there is no magic bullet for how to overcome a devastating loss in every form, there are some methods that have permitted me to reflect, grow, and gain perspective throughout my own grief journey.