Comments on: When Your Friend Is Grieving

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:21:00 +0000

Beautiful, Jessie.

By: Elizabeth Grant Thomas

Elizabeth Grant Thomas — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:07:41 +0000

Having lost my own mother nearly 10 years ago, I can attest to the fact that this is all excellent advice. I might add, “Let people grieve in whatever way feels natural to them.” When I was still in a state of shock just after my mother died, a friend actually said to me, “You don’t seem very sad.” The worst? “You seem to be handling this all SO well.” As if there is a “way” to grieve. Anyways, I really relate to this post. Have you seen the film “50/50?” A really beautiful movie about the ways in which people face the possibility of death.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:22:00 +0000

Really great post — and a topic that no one really wants to discuss but everyone should. Ill share another from a dear member of our community who just lost a child. Don’t ask, “How are you?” in the early days. Well meaning for sure but what a burden to have to answer that question when the answer is “broken.” Thanks for taking the time to offer these thoughts here — and so much better than writing about pens – although Im sure you could do them incredible justice.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:01:10 +0000

Maureen, only you could manage to slip a Calvin Coolidge reference in there. Love you, dear sister;)

By: Maureen

Maureen — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:02:47 +0000

Thank you for taking on this difficult topic…as you said, “avoidance mode” is such an attractive option when spending time with grieving friends/family members. And why do I try to be Chatty Cathy when my normal temperament is closer to that of Calvin Coolidge? Am I really a supportive friend, or am I distracted by my own fear of the inevitable? Your straightforward guidance/reflections are much appreciated (and desperately needed).