How do I deal?  I can't honestly say I've had a hard life, as comparisons to others' can easily show, but how have I dealt with the sorrows/tragedies that have come?  I'd say that I prefer to ignore it and have it go away, but I've never seen that really work.  As far as death goes, like with my dog (practically my sister) it was heart-wrenching at the time (in high school) but now doesn't hurt much.  Maybe 'cause it's not as real?  I think by detaching, it kind of makes reality easier, but is that healthy?  I don't know if I really work through things like I should, but I try- recognizing a life or time of life for what it was, being sad at the change or loss, but then moving on.