| 
| 
HELPING SOMEONE WHO IS GRIEVING
One of the blessings of grieving is the care and support family and friends offer us. It can also be one of the curses!
If you are caring for someone who is grieving please remember that there are no easy answers or solutions. And please be conscious about not offering simple platitudes. To say, “You’ll get over this.” or “God must have needed a good person up there.” really do not help. For starters, one never “gets over” the loss – one learns to live new ways; and God never wills harm or hurt upon us – God doesn’t “take” us away. You can’t fix what has happened, you can’t explain it away, and you can’t fully understand what your friend is experiencing.
The best way to be of help is to simply “be”. Be available. Listen (don’t talk!). Encourage your friend to talk by gently reflecting, in a few words, what you have heard them say. Rather than say, “Call me if there is anything I can do.” notice things that need to be done and say, “I’ll do ... “ If invitations are constantly rejected, don’t give up. And if your friend expresses anger with you, don’t take it personally. Your friend needs you now whether he or she knows it!