Some real examples of how grief can affect young people:

My brother died ten years ago this November, when I was only three and he was seventeen days old. He had a genetic disorder, where he had too much lactic acid in his body and he was really in pain. I was too young at the time to understand what was going on, except for the fact that the brother I wanted wasn't coming home. His tenth birthday would be 21st October 2007.  His death didn't really hit me until two years later, when my little brother was born and I realised that if Owain hadn't have died, he would have been sitting up with me, two years old and running around happily, anticipating a new little brother in the family. But then, after a conversation with my parents, I realised that he wouldn't have been running around. He would be in a wheelchair, with no idea of what was happening, not really knowing who we were. People who have never experienced loss tell met things "it's been ten years, get over it" and "You didn't know him, so how can you miss him?". 

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I lost my Dad ten years ago this year. I was only 13 and at times it often feels like I lost him yesterday…….. All I have ever wanted to do is talk about him and remember him, yet feel like I'd upset everyone if I did.

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I remember when I was young … I loved my mum so much some say I was too attached to her .. I always wanted to be with her even when she went to the loo or when she was in the bath I used to sit in the corner of the bathroom and talk to her. I used to pretend to be ill and not go to school so I could spend time with her.

She was a good lady who adored her children and would have made any sacrifice if it were to benefit my sister and I. She was beautiful, a real stunner with her big blue eyes and perfect smile, petite with a slim figure. I refer to my mum is the past tense because on the 3rd of May 2003 at 8.50pm I lost my mum to alcoholism. She had finally lost the battle she had fought for the past few years. I watched my mum deteriorate I watched has she changed from being fiercely independent, strong and beautiful person to someone who was ravaged by this terrible illness. If I could just have a few more minutes with her to tell her that I love her and how much I miss her I would give the world … I would give my life if it meant my little sis would never cry another a tear.. I wish that for the last second before she died when she opened her eyes to say goodbye that her blue eyes would have stayed open but they didn’t she was too tired she needed to rest she fell asleep. Wish the empty feeling would leave the pit of my stomach. My heart has been broken.