Bless your heart...considering why you were there, I would hope they would understand and be sympathetic. If I were there, I would have given you a big hug. Sometimes I am able to fight off tears but other times, the feelings overpower and the floodgates open big time. One thing I have heard several people say is don't apologize for your tears, you are grieving. Take care of you.

Do not feel weak because you cried. You must let it out. It's good for you. One day I went shopping at walmart and because the lady was so nice to me I started crying and cried all the way out to my car. When you lose a loved one it hurts and crying lets that out. Don't try to stop it. Lost my husband suddenly in May and my heart still aches and I still cry every day. It's never easy but tears help.

I cringe myself even hearing those words. I can't even say the "d" word or the "g" word.

Its just so hard to lose such a vital part of our lives.

the only thing that helps when I have a hard time coming to terms with this, is remembering that her remaining here, would have been harder on her. By far. It's better for her and me that she has moved on. I try to see it as her being "promoted".
My time for promotion hasn't come yet, but it will.

Bridget, I know how you feel. My Dad recently passed away and I had a moment just like you last Friday. I almost started full on crying at work. The only thing I could do was think about something else. I called a friend had her talk to me about anything to distract me. I find right now I feel like I'm going to cry all the time because everything reminds me of my Dad. I chose not to have a burial flag from the VA because My Dad had special flags here already at our house that I will keep. I know how you feel though. I hope that the VA people understood and I wish I could give you a hug. I know how you feel so much. You aren't weak either. Don't ever think that. Who cares what anyone else's thinks. Whatever you have to do to help you get through the day, do it. I found that just simply talking to other people who have gone through what I'm going through has really helped me. Take it one day at a time.

I would think that the VA has seen and experienced many grieving individuals in their life time many lost in the war along with close friends ect: they understand completely just follow your heart it knows what to do if you need to cry at times then let those tears flow.

god bless you ...........................

Bridget, you are NOT ALONE in what you're experiencing! It has happened to me in several awkward situations and I felt out of control and weak. BUT, what I've come to understand is that weakness is being afraid to cry. Tears ARE strength! Delight in your tears, because they show your heart and your love and your pain, and the fact that you are not afraid or weak!

Well I guess this is normal then -- I just had a meltdown in the Ladies Room here at work a couple of hours ago myself. My husband died one month and four days ago from cancer. I thought I was getting stronger but I had a major set back today.

It surprised me how strongly it hit me but I am pretty sure what set it off. I believe that the cause is directly related to the fact that I am preparing to sell his 18-wheeler that he bought brand new 5 years ago and was so proud of at the time.

Hard.

MISS HIM SO MUCH.

I was just talking to a friend about the military flag that was on my dads coffin, that I have in one of those special frames. It made me cry all over again. I can understand your tears completely

Bridget, grief bursts are NORMAL and it's probably impossible to count how many people have wept uncontrollably during a military burial. Grief is an ugly thing and it takes us by surprise sometimes. I've started crying in the supermarket! Take it day by day, even hour by hour. You're entitled to your grief and who cares what other people think. Take care of yourself.

Dear Bridget; I logged on tonight after learning about this website from my sister. Your story touched me as does each and every person in pain here and that is what we all feel when we read these stories. I too have the outbust and you dont even know where they come from until you sit with it for a while. I lost my incredible mother to a rare form of cancer 8 months ago and the pain is so deep tonight. You are not alone my friend. The crying does not seem to want to stop but then it does. No one can really understand unless they have been through this. I have a friend who lost her mother and father only two years apart, she tells me that it does start to ease up. There will be a time when we are all with those we love again. I know that. Have you ever seen the show I survived beyond and back ? It is on the bio channel and it helped me to see that we are going to meet up with our loved ones again. My mother raiser 4 daughters on her own. I was 6 years old when my father left her. She went on to raise us, with little monty, but lots of love. She went on to become a very successful attorney, and travel the world in order to see the animals and nature she supported and loved. She had over 100 friends and colleagues at the celebration of life party we had for her. I cannot even begin to tell you the stories of my amazing mother. She was still rocking out to rock and roll at 72 when she lost her battle. In my eyes there will never be anyone that comes close to her. I'm sure you feel the same way. I just want to let you all know that you will see that person that you so miss, and love, again. They are with us, and will guide you if you are in tune, until you hug eachother again.