You nailed it.

They are the pillars of our lives, our guiding lights, and our constants. The first stage of grief often brings shock, disbelief, and a sense of being adrift in an unfamiliar world.

And, yes yes yes, grief "manifests differently in each individual."

My parents are still here (but close to the end) - hanging in there, even though they have buried three daughters. Seeing my dad looking frail and weak and confused is (dare I say traumatic?) - the pillar of strength, the giant of a man who loomed over me in childhood, is now drifting away. Mom is tired. She never used to fall asleep during the day... her carotid artery is blocked... she may refuse to undergo treatment....
I'm still working on this: "Through self-care, support, and the passage of time, we can navigate the waves of grief and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience."

Time does not ease the pain - it only builds scar tissue, as Rose Kennedy once said.

Thank you for this post.