Will sits down with Anderson to share what he calls his “long journey into grief”. Image : Will Reeve shared via instagram
(The Post News)- In the most recent season of CNN’s “All There Is,” Anderson Cooper continues his moving investigation of grief by interviewing people who have suffered catastrophic losses. One such guest, Will Reeve, shares his incredible experience dealing with the tragic deaths of his mother and father when he was a little child.
When Will was only three years old, his father suffered a terrible horseback riding accident that left him paralyzed. His life was forever changed by his parents’ support of stroke awareness during that period. However, fate dealt him another harsh blow in 2004 when his mother died of lung cancer, and his father died of heart failure two years later.
Will vividly describes the sorrow of his last minutes with his father, regretting not saying “I love you” before he died. He recalls the haunting image of ambulance lights and his fervent prayer to God to save his father’s life. The next morning, he summoned the courage to say his final goodbyes, pledging to make his father proud.
Will’s grief journey was filled with pain and evasion. He admits that dealing with his mother’s death was especially difficult, characterizing it as the “lowest moment” of his life. However, he discovered that acknowledging and working through his sadness was critical to his recovery.
“Grief is weird and scary and a little yucky,” Will muses. “You need to push on the pain point, work at it… go to the dark place to bring light there.” He emphasizes the importance of facing grief head-on, rather than avoiding it, which can have negative consequences.
Will recounts a moving experience with his younger self, assuring him that he would handle the challenges of life without his father. This emotional encounter left Will feeling a sense of love and space.
During his conversation with Anderson Cooper, Will stresses the value of listening to people and sharing grief experiences. “Grief can feel so lonely, but talking about it helps,” he asserts.
“All There Is” with Anderson Cooper provides an effective platform for people like Will to share their stories, fostering empathy and understanding. Cooper elaborates: “It’s about the people we lose, the people left behind, and how we can live on – with loss.”
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