"I Don't Know What to Say!"

     What to do When Someone is Grieving
 
“I don’t know what to say.” “I don’t know what to do.” “It’s so uncomfortable.”
                  Have you ever heard anyone say this or have you said it yourself?
           When we are faced with someone who is grieving, deeply sad, depressed, crying… we just want to run away because we don’t know what to say or do. And yes, it’s uncomfortable. Imagine how it is for them.
 
Want to know the secret? The best thing to do? Lead with your heart and…
 
                 Just Show Up!!  Just Show Up! Be Present.
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There are no magic words, you can’t fix it and yes it’s uncomfortable. Show up anyway. You can tell someone you don’t know what to do or say but you care and you are there for them.   Send a text, an email, a hug, or show up at the visitation when their loved one died. Buy them a coffee.
 
If they are crying, hand them a tissue. Be willing to sit in the sadness with them. A few kind words can make all the difference for someone in despair. Words are healing. Love is always the answer. Yes it is easier said than done. All of this is. You don’t have to do anything spectacular. Just be OK with being there, not trying to fix it, not trying to be brilliant, just be.
 
Here’s another great way to “Just Show Up”. Think of all the mundane tasks of life that still need to be taken care of, even when someone doesn’t have the strength to do them. How about walking their dog? Cutting their grass, taking out their garbage, getting a few items at the store for them? Call in neighbours, family, friends or volunteers to help. It takes a village…
 
We need to empower compassionate communities, by being there for one another.
How do we get better at this? Practice.
 
Lead with your heart, and Just Show Up.

Can you think of other ways we can “Just Show Up”
for the grieving, for the lonely, for someone who could use a kind word?