5. Think about the following situations and be prepared to participate in a small group discussion about the (1) reactions reflected in each situation and (2) conditions that could have changed the reaction:

a. A family of four adult children and one adolescent experienced a sudden death of their father. Sarah, being a nurse, took charge of the situation. She delegated tasks to each of her brothers and sisters. One sister was so overcome with grief that she could not perform her assignments, so Sarah took care of those tasks in addition to her own. Sarah was described by relatives as a "tower of strength for all of us." From the time when news of the death was received until the estate was settled, Sarah stayed busy "doing what has to be done." Approximately ten months following her father's death, Sarah was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Although she recovered, her convalescence required almost a full year.

b. Melissa was a college graduate who had worked for six years to help her husband finish law school and set up his law practice. As soon as she became pregnant, `Lissa quit her job to be a full-time homemaker. When her two children were two and four years old, Bob went to a distant city on business. He decided to fly so he could be home in time to spend the weekend with his family. On Friday evening, a plane crashed as it was landing at the local airport. News of the crash was broadcast within minutes. `Lissa heard the newscast and knew that Bob was supposed to be on that flight. Her parents heard the newscast and rushed over to be with their daughter. They found her cheerfully setting the table for dinner. When they told her about the crash, she responded, "I heard that newscast. But I know Bob didn't get on that plane." After several weeks, workers at the crash site still had found nothing that could provide positive identification of Bob. Two years later, `Lissa is still saying, "I know Bob is alive. Someday he will walk through the front door."