
Episode #14
Why Grief Can Return Years Later
Why can grief catch you off guard years or even decades after someone dies? While writing his book, Robert began reflecting on the childhood trips he took to the airport with his father. He had always believed he arrived early for flights because he loved airports. Sitting on the couch that night, he recognized a deeper connection: walking the terminals still gave him a way to spend time with his dad. In this solo episode, Robert examines why an old loss can feel new again. He explains how grief can return to our awareness as we enter new stages of life, understand past experiences differently, or encounter a memory whose meaning we had not recognized before. The episode also explores the Dual Process Model of Bereavement, continuing bonds, and meaning reconstruction. Robert shares how these ideas shape his approach as a grief coach and offers practical ways to respond when grief resurfaces without judging yourself or treating the experience as a setback. In this episode: Why renewed grief does not mean you have gone backward How an old memory can take on new meaning Revisiting a childhood loss from an adult perspective Moving between grief and everyday life How places, rituals, and memories can maintain a connection with someone who died Why crying can feel helpful for some people without being required What ordinary grief work can look like Questions Robert uses to explore why grief has resurfaced When coaching may help and when a licensed mental health professional may offer more appropriate support When grief catches you off guard, try beginning with: “This is grief. I’m okay, and I don’t have to push it down.” You may not need to solve the feeling. Start by noticing what brought the loss into view and what the memory means to you now. Research and frameworks mentioned The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement by Margaret Stroebe and Henk Schut Growing Up With Grief: Revisiting the Death of a Parent Over the Life Course by Nancee M. Blank and Allison Werner-Lin The Impact of Continuing Bonds Following Bereavement: A Systematic Review Meaning Reconstruction in Bereavement by Robert A. Neimeyer The Riddle of Human Emotional Crying by Ad Vingerhoets and Lauren Bylsma Content note: This episode discusses parental death, grief, crying, and emotional distress. Learn more about Robert DelFave’s grief coaching and writing Website: robertdelfave.com Grief coaching: robertdelfave.com/coaching Schedule a complimentary Grief Map Session: Book a Grief Map Session The Other Side of This: robertdelfave.com/book Contact: hello@robertdelfave.com The Carried Forward Podcast is hosted by Robert DelFave, grief coach, David Kessler Certified Grief Educator, and author of The Other Side of This.

