Yes.............many people go throughthis. It will take time until you become comfortable with your surroundings again. Be good to yourself. It will get easier. Rainbowmama

This is soooooo normal....Take Care of yourself..I cant promise things will get better over night but you will eventually have a moment of peace.

I know that everyone is different but how long did it take?

Golffdogg,don't worry about how long it going to take but come boldly before God and tell Him to help you out so you can be a blessing to others.God will take care of every situation be yourself. God bless you.

Thank you anointed for your words of encouragement. I am struggling and need his help!

I remember the first day I went back to work and how hard it was to get myself to go home. I worked late on purpose.
My daughter would usually jump on me and hug me as soon as I walked in the door and I knew this would never happen again and I had a hard time dealing with it.
I finally forced myself to go home and walked through the doors with tears running down my face...
I hated that feeling of being home and feeling like something is missing and like clouds hanging over our house and our lives.
As I have prayed and have talked to others the clouds have lifted, not entirely but for the most part. Things are better and it will just take some time and effort dealing and processing your grief. It will take a while. Many times you have to force yourself out of bed or couch and try to do something you used to find fun. I am very sorry for your loss and I will say a prayer for you and your family today...
Prayers,

Tim (Jenaes Dad)
http://jenae.gallegos.home.att.net

I am sorry for your pain. I think "common" would be more aptly applied to the experience you are having than "normal", since a lot of us have that going on but everyone is different and you are entitled to grieve however you need to. You are not alone.

You have so many things going on in your life. Sometimes we (I) have to force myself to do things I really have no desire (or energy) to do. Since I'm goal oriented, I like to set little ones to force myself to get going. Golffdogg, you are too young to let life pass you by. It's normal to grieve in your own way, but you must also take little steps to get your life back on track - regain your peace.

I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!!
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. I HAD TO RELOCATE AND PURCHASE ANOTHER HOME. YOU JUST FEEL SO ALONE. I HAVE MY SON AT HOME, BUT HE IS 18 AND HAS HIS OWN LIFE. I SOMETIMES DO THE SAME THING, IT JUST SEEMS EASIER TO STAY IN ONCE YOU ARE THERE. I HAVE TO JUST MAKE MYSELF GO PLACES THESE DAYS. I AM THINKING OF YOU AND PRAYING FOR YOU. GOD WILL NOT FORGET YOU OR FORSAKE YOU!!!!

I lost my daughter in Feb and I live alone since my other kids are grown. I don't like going home either, its to lonely. Our family has been drifting from each other so yeah going home knowing no one is going to stop by (my other kids and grandkids) just makes it harder. And you know when I am there I lock my door and don't answer my phone to my friends or family. Its like I just want to be left alone. I feel your pain and confusion. I to wonder when will it get better. My prayers are with you.

Hello Golffdogg, while no one can tell you how long this will be, we can share our experience. When my mom died, I couldn't stand to be in the house (she didn't even live here, so go figure LOL), and I sat outside for the better part of a month. When Al died I did the same, but only for about 2 weeks. It's the weirdest thing, isn't it? Just be gentle with yourself and let it be ok. You will get through this, I promise. Hugs.

I feel the same way about not wanting to go home to my Dad's house for the holidays, just because occassion. It will be a year Nov 5 that my Brother died, and the communication between all of us family is just now occurring and I'm trying to go visit our father more. It just hurts knowing my brother will not ever be there again and nothing will ever be the same. I will look around and everyone, everything the same except his smiling face and it still hurts. I am still grieving. Hang in there. Allow yourself the time to go home and do nothing but lie down and watch tv. Lots of hugs.

Grief has no set time table, or set stages.
We all stumble though it .... never in the same time or in the same way. The only thing we all have in common is the pain, and for that this site is invaluable. What works for me may not work for you, but to know you are ot alone and there are people here who understand is a real sanity saver.
Take each day as it comes, don't push yourself to do things that are not comfortable to do right now. Don't expect that in 6 months or a year you will be "over it" .... give yourself time to hurt and time to heal

I don't think there's anything wrong with you. It's grief. Just grief. And there's no time limit on this. You may slowly stop doing this - in your own time, not others'.

I still have that to look forward to. I haven't worked while caring for Mom and once I get a job again, there won't be anyone to call home to during the day. No one. And Mom won't be calling me to ask what to make for dinner. And she won't be calling when weather predictions are bad - to scold me about not hurrying home early.

So, you see, I have alot of grief - still ahead. Let it work itself out in time.

I just want to thank everyone for their encouraging words! I was busy all day so that helped. Everyone keep your heads up for today is a good day!