18/03/2026
Doing a crossword with a cuppa is one of my little daily rituals – wonderfully relaxing, especially as the answers are tucked away at the back, so there’s no pressure.
Today’s clue stopped me in my tracks: “grief” – 3 letters.
Three letters to capture an experience that reshapes us. I couldn’t quite compute how something so vast, so personal, could be condensed into something so small.
For many people, the transition after losing someone can feel overwhelming. If you find yourself feeling “stuck” or struggling to manage day-to-day life, it may be a sign that you’d benefit from the support of a bereavement counsellor.
There are many places to turn for help, including:
• Your local hospice
• Marie Curie
• Cruse
• Private counsellors, such as myself
The crossword’s answer was “woe”, defined as great sorrow, grief, or misery.
Is it a good description? In some ways, yes – it captures the heaviness. But grief is also so much more layered, unpredictable, and deeply human than any single word can hold.
