Permission to cry

 Do you have any personal tragedies that you won't allow yourself to grieve because the world thinks you're nuts, petty, or ridiculous?  Forget the world and let yourself grieve!  The world is there for you when your parents or children or spouse die but otherwise you are on your own, and even then you only get a three day grace period and then life is back in the fast lane.  But what if you are estranged from your family, had an abusive or absent parent and never got to know what a good dad is, never got to realize your dream of doing X, you just miscarried or can't get pregnant, you have to forego some major and favorite food group due to health reasons...whatever the reason, you are allowed to grieve.  It only adds insult to injury when the world sides against you, not only can you not grieve but they say it is your fault that your mother's abusive or you have nothing to cry about since you never had a relationship with your absent dad and now he's dead so get over it already.  Forget the world's opinions and censure and seek out a good friend who will listen and let you grieve, someone who won't give advice or opinions or trite comfort or criticize you, but just somebody who will have your back even when you are sobbing over never getting to eat real cheese again.  Bottling it up, ignoring it, or lapsing into despair will only make it worse.  You have permission to be human, to hurt, to grieve, to cry, no matter why or what or who.