Is delayed grief a thing?

Long story short, lost my hero, my dad in 2024 and took it in my stride because i was prepared for it, he was in the advanced stages of dementia.
However, I've found myself thinking about him much more during the past three months and finding it harder to look at photos etc, visit places that we used to love, basically the sense of loss is greater now than it was 18 months ago.
Am I experiencing some sort of delayed reaction?

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SammyJo · 51-55, F

In my 'other' job, I do counselling. So, yes, Rob. Delayed grief is a thing. Grief is one of those things that, no matter how we set ourselves up for it. The slow protracted change, like your dad had, we never can imagine the real reality. It still hits us...and can hit us hard.

And, at odd times...not necessarily when we are sad. There's always some anniversary, some anecdote, some feeling, some place or person, or some action that reminds us of a moment in time, in our past, when we remember them.

My mum died, many years ago now, from a heart attack in sad circumstances. She lead a rock and roll lifestyle and passed at 55. When I got to 55, last year, I had (and still do, slightly) moments of dread that I'll be dead too.

So 10 years..15 years...20 years later. It doesn't matter. You might think you are over it, but you never will be. It's never easy, but get easier.

Friends help..

Hugs..

SJD & the Surrey Mafia xx