Dealing with loss is one of the few experiences that does not get easier with practice. People are particularly sensitive to anything that jeopardizes their self-esteem or attachment needs. Loss hurts. Reactions vary, as these stories show, from the relatively optimistic to the pathological, all in the hope of returning to a state of stable equilibrium. Some struggles are overwhelming. During the big flood, Walter has to deal with concurrent and competing issues of loss. A natural disaster only magnifies the situation. Is the sandbag dike high enough? Strong enough? In which flood fight will he prevail?