As our mind wanders, we continue to get reminders from the brain to call or text our loved ones, but now these reminders conflict with reality. Seeing these intrusive thoughts from the perspective of the brain may make them less worrisome. You have always had intrusive thoughts about your spouse, your kids, or your best friend. The emotional impact of them is different now that they have died, but being reminded of our loved ones is the nature of having a relationship. You get reminders because these people are important to us. That does not change right away because the person has died. Your
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