For in grief nothing "stays put." One keeps on emerging from a phase, but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats. Am I going in circles, or dare I hope I am on a spiral?But if a spiral, am I going up or down it?How often -- will it be for always? -- how often will the vast emptiness astonish me like a complete novelty and make me say, "I never realized my loss till this moment"? The same leg is cut off time after time.
In "A Grief Observed," C.S. Lewis reflects on the nature of grief as a cyclical experience. He suggests that individuals frequently find themselves revisiting phases of sorrow, feeling as if they are going in circles. This repetition raises a question of whether there is any progress in healing or if one is merely caught in a loop of pain. The analogy of a spiral indicates the possibility of movement toward growth or decline, leaving the individual uncertain about their emotional journey.
Lewis illustrates how the impact of loss continues to surprise him with new intensity, manifesting as moments of profound realization. Each re-experiencing of grief feels like losing a part of oneself over and over again, emphasizing the enduring nature of emotional scars. The text captures the paradox of grief—while it can feel repetitive, there are moments that reveal unexpected depth and insight into the nature of one’s loss.
