No wonder Paul compared grief to the viciousness of dangerous surf. Grief is powerful and unpredictable. Your skin flushes, your heart burns, and your eyes sting. It’s very difficult to keep your thoughts collected, and all but impossible to keep your emotions at bay. With the exception of when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, grief is probably the most powerful mood/mind/body-altering state you can be in, especially in the initial shocking aftermath of the traumatic event that caused it.
