Photo of Chadwick Boseman, facing camera, to the left of the frame with right side of face shadowed. Golden brown coat collar visible.

What Happens to Grief Deferred?

As a caregiver, particularly to someone living with dementia, I suppress my emotions so as not to trigger inconsolable fear or sadness in my mother. See, for someone with Frontotemporal Dementia, it can be nearly impossible for them to recognize, compartmentalize, and regulate emotional responses. Learning of the death of a loved one could lead to attempts to take one's own life, but the death of a perfect stranger or familiar celebrity may have an equally significant impact.