Analyzing woterstoff reflection - Essay Example

This stage is evidenced in Woterstorff’s “Lament for a Son”. Wolterstorff (1987) cannot believe that his son is dead. He chooses not to believe the caller at first. He walks to Eric’s favorite places in the hope of finding him there with his friends. The second reaction is anger. Individuals start asking themselves questions after realizing the death is real. The questions often seek to find failure that caused the death. In “Lament for a Son,” Wolterstorff is angry at his son for going to climb the mountains alone.

He is angry that his son did not take his friends with him. A friend could have saved his life. Lack of answers to such questions leads to the bargaining stage. In bargaining, the grieving persons have come to terms with the reality of death. They seek the intervention of a higher power and seek to explain the death through spiritual and religious perspectives. Wolterstorff believes that his son died doing what he liked and was drawing near to God as he climbed high up the mountains. The believe gives him solace.

However, depression is inevitable in grief. Depression is a long term effect that affects the behavior, attitude and way of life of an individual. The bereaved person cannot simply let go of the deceased. Wolterstorff cannot forget his son just yet He goes to his son’s favorite places and keeps asking himself questions about his death. The psychological wound that he suffered due to his death is still raw. Acceptance is the last stage of grief. Individuals accept that death is the fate of human beings (Kübler-Ross & Kessler, 2007).

Individuals also realize that death is inevitable and cannot be planned, or be prepared for. In this stage, people seek peace within the family and friends. A good example is that Wolterstorff finds solace in his family and find happiness by talking about their deceased son. As noted, Wolterstorff is heavily reliant on his family for comfort. He is a Christian and