How many times have you heard a person talk about getting closure? The conversation usually goes something like this: “It's good that a memorial service is being held in a few days so the family can have closure.” Or maybe something like this: “Now that they've made it through the first year without their loved one, they should have some closure.” We should note that sophomore year is actually often more difficult emotionally than freshman year. We'll talk more about sophomore pain in the next few pages. Our society likes to have things neat and clean. Things should be done in an orderly manner, follow a step-by-step plan and have a proper timetable. When things don't fit the mold offered by society, it is very often assumed that something is wrong. The same goes for a grieving person. Society will allow you to cry and grieve for a short time. It is expected after the loss of a loved one for a short period of time. However, if it lasts too long, they will reject the person for carrying on the grief for too long. Every culture is a little different when it comes to expressing grief through tears. In the United States we have a melting pot of cultures with a variety of different traditions surrounding grief. However, crying or any public display of emotion is generally frowned upon. We have little tolerance for emotional outbursts. Celebrating too much after scoring points in a ball game will also earn you and your team a foul. Crying is often seen as a sign of weakness. This is a cultural myth in our country. Crying is a reaction to something that has triggered emotions or physical pain. Some people cry easily, and tears can be a sign of joy or sorrow. Other people may have been raised to never cry… middle of paper… our mind and it is almost impossible not to imagine a pink elephant. Likewise, a company can tell its employees not to think about their personal problems while at work, but that's nearly impossible. It's almost like trying to stop the wind or hold back the ocean. Your colleagues may suggest now that the funeral is over; the divorce is final; or the loss has passed and you are past the point where you should now get over it. Now you have a conclusion. The world doesn't want you to express sadness or pain with few exceptions. The grief process is not something that has a clear starting and ending point. You can't say, "Here are five simple steps to overcome pain." The process can have many stops and starts. The moment you think you've finally moved on, you might find yourself in a memory hug and shed a few tears. It takes as long as it takes.