Grieving relationships

The military’s mantra is "men, mission, self." We need to break the cycle and shift the military mindset that the self is last. It impacts us, and we bring it home to our kids. - Military Veteran

There was lots of judgment that I put my career ahead of my family. - Military Veteran

Looking back, you may resent that your time in service was “all-consuming” and the impact that had on you, your partner, your family, and other relationships.

You may be grieving the important family events that you missed – birthdays, school plays, hockey finals, anniversaries, illness, last words, and funerals, to name a few, as well as the everyday flow of family life that you weren’t present for.

You may grieve relationships from “before service” that went by the wayside.

You may be grieving relationships lost with colleagues due to retirement, transition, discharge, time, and circumstance.

Recognizing that your grief, and the feelings and thoughts that come with it, are natural, normal, and common is important.