Grief triggers

[Lolabolola]

My Dad died a few months ago. I thought I was doing really well but it was my aunties birthday yesterday. I sent her a text to wish her a Happy Birthday and she sent me back a group photo of her, my uncle, my cousins and my cousins children.

I’ll never be able to take a family picture like that again.

Its triggered off awful grief. So painful and I feel angry that she sent me that photo when she knows what we’re going through. Dad was her brother in law.

I just wish people would think before they did things. She didn’t need to send me that.

I'm so sorry about your dad OP, how sad that must have made you feel.
Unless your auntie is the type of person that you think would have done that to hurt you I would guess that she meant well but as you say she just didn't think between the time she thought it would be nice to send it you and when she actually sent it.
I can see why a group photo of family members would trigger an awful feeling of grief.
Try not to blame her, I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt you 💐

Thanks so much for your kind reply. She is a good person, I’m sure she didn’t mean to cause any upset. I think people are just so wrapped up in their own lives they don’t really think beyond it.

Grief sucks but you can’t expect everyone in your life to tiptoe around you.

im sorry this triggered you. Grief can just come from nowhere. Would you like to share a happy memory of your dad?

Aww.. That's very understanding of you OP.
I'm glad that she's a nice woman and that you don't think she sent the photo of the family to hurt you.
I imagine she's proud of her family , and was happy to have a group photo taken on her birthday, and she wanted you to have an updated photo of your cousins, and their dcs but yes, most people likely wouldn't think of the possibility that their actions might hurt others x

Grief is shit, particularly when it's new and raw. Things will be triggering, especially in the first year, but it's still better than people ignoring you, even if there are times you might rather they did.

Things will get easier, and memories will start to bring smiles more often than tears.

It's 24 years since my Dad died, and there are still times when I miss him like it was yesterday. It never goes away completely- and that's okay, because it's evidence of how much you loved him. But it will become more manageable in time.

Grief is the hardest thing. Look after yourself.