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A SPECIAL SEVEN FROM RONNIE JAMES DIO

This article forms part of a very special story about Ronnie James Dio. Since it happened seven years ago it has only been told to a handful of people before but now is the right time to reveal it to the world.

ronnie james dio

The story was first revelaed in The Requiem Edition of Steve Göldby Talks Metal on 14th February 1018 and you can listen to the whole show at the bottom of this page. Keep the story in mind because it’s for you, should you ever need it one day. Here’s the original article. Click here for the accompanying article.

1. SHOCK AND DENIAL

You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for weeks.

2. PAIN AND GUILT

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As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs.

You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn’t do with your loved one. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase.

3. ANGER AND BARGAINING

Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the loss on someone else. This needs to be controlled, as permanent damage to your relationships may result. This is a time for the release of bottled up emotion.

You may rail against fate and you may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair.

4. “DEPRESSION”, REFLECTION, LONELINESS

Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. This is a normal stage of grief, so do not be “talked out of it” by well-meaning outsiders. Encouragement from others is not helpful to you during this stage of grieving.

During this time, you finally realize the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did with your lost one, and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.

5. THE UPWARD TURN

As you start to adjust to life without your dear one, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized. Your physical symptoms lessen, and your ‘depression’ begins to lift slightly.

6. RECONSTRUCTION AND WORKING THROUGH

As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without your loved one. You will start to work on practical and financial problems and reconstructing yourself and your life without them.

7. ACCEPTANCE AND HOPE

During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness. Given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled you that existed before this tragedy. But you will find a way forward.

You will start to look forward and actually plan things for the future. Eventually, you will be able to think about your lost loved one without pain; sadness, yes, but the wrenching pain will be gone. You will once again anticipate some good times to come, and yes, even find joy again in the experience of living.

eric goldby

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