You will go through the grieving process until it is over. There is no timeline for grieving, i.e., just as there is no true timelines for your spouse's MLC to be over. It will end when it ends. You will have ups and downs throughout it all, i.e., just as the MLCer has ups and downs. However, the LBS will work through their issues and go right through the ring of fire, whereas, the MLCer will skirt around edge and find ways to avoid doing the actual heavy work until much later in their crisis.
For now, take care of yourself and your children. They need you, the adult, now more then ever. Take it one day at at a time and do not plan too far in advance as things will change very quickly from day to day for all.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
