Chitra Ramaswamy’s description of her experience of grieving after her mother died (Losing my mum in lockdown was a brutal lesson in the abject loneliness of grief, 21 December) should be given to everyone who has suffered a close bereavement.
Both my parents died when I was in my 20s, and as far as I am concerned now, it is very old history. But when I read Chitra’s article, it brought back to me exactly how I felt. At the time, death was not discussed and people took trouble to avoid me.
In my head it seemed as if I was on another planet and I was unable to put into words what it was like; in any case, no one would have wanted to hear it. I felt very lonely and, above all, that no one understood what I was going through.
Chitra has written the words that I wanted to speak. Her ability to do this is a gift to those whose loved ones have died. Chitra, you are not alone and by sharing your inner thoughts so eloquently, you will be helping others to feel that they are not alone too.
Caroline Piller
Reading, Berkshire
