Writing is therapeutic. It also brings attention to the gun violence within the territory. It is also a mechanism that allows for a mourning that is considered complicated.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “Complicated Grief” is now recognized as a condition that affects 7% of bereaved people. Individuals like me, with this self-diagnosed condition, are caught up in multiple layers of grief.
Complicated Grief
NIH describes Complicated Grief as a chronic impairing form of grief brought about by interference with the healing process. Dr. M. Katherine Shear explains the complexity as similar to a physical wound that produces an inflammatory response as part of the healing process. A wound complication, such as an infection, which increases the inflammation and delays the healing, we can view our bereavement as the injury and grief as similar to the painful inflammatory response and Complicated Grief as the superimposed infection.
As a result, it is said that those of us with CG-our healing in grief is not that easy to get over-it is delayed.
Brewers Bay July 8
Unable to comprehend or even accept the finality and consequences of July 8 at Brewers Bay; the grief is complicated with the epidemic gun violence in a 32 square mile territory, a community that seems to be afraid to speak up, and the appearance of absence of tenor or tone by government officials, and increased pain every day there is no arrest by the Virgin Islands police.
Cleared Eyed Purpose
While we await a breakthrough by the esteemed VIPD, while I may sometimes experience feelings of helplessness and bouts of acute emotion, my eyes are purposely clear in seeking justice as the mechanism for mourning.
Please call the St. Thomas Police if you know anything about Brewers Bay July 8.
Editor’s Note: Rudy Bridges, 41, was shot and killed on July 8 at Brewers Beach on St. Thomas. This crime remains unsolved. Anyone with information should call the V.I. Police Department at 340-774-2211, the Major Crimes Division at 340-209-9627, or the anonymous tip service, CrimeStoppers USVI, at 800-222-8477.
