I'm sorry for your loss, no matter how long ago it was

Here's my experience. Losing my beloved dog last year was my first real grief... he was literally my world. Without my T's support, I probably would have tried to end my life over it.
14 months later, its STILL hard, it's become easier to manage in some ways but he still crosses my mind every single day and there is many things I still can't do because the pain is too much. There are still many triggers that set me into a fit of tears.

One thing my T told me early on was that "There is no timeline or rules for grief" Everyone grieves differently. You never fully "stop grieving" but in time, you learn ways to manage and cope better. In a sense it becomes "easier" ---even though the painful moments still come up.

I am in the process of losing my T as well, not to death but it sure feels like it, and this colliding with the holidays only makes it worse. I know I wont "be over" it any time soon.

It's ok to still grieve your loss, it's ok to still have moments of tears or sadness. I can't understand why a T wouldn't get this. It seems so basic.