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Grief is an emotion that throws me off. It's uncomfortable and difficult, and those types of situations make me want to crack jokes. So, obviously, I'm not good when someone is grieving. But I've had friends lose their children, my best friend moved away from all her family and friends to England, my brother is going through a divorce, and a high school friend is going through chemo after recently being diagnosed with breast cancer. It's been hard for me to know what to say or do. So I looked it up and thought I would share the tips with you because the holiday season will bring those situations and feelings to the forefront.
Reach out. Just be there even if you don’t know what to say or do.
Listen, then listen some more.
Withhold judgement. Everyone grieves differently.
Take off your rose-colored glasses. It’s great to be positive but you also have to acknowledge that life isn’t fair.
Check in often.
Find tangible ways to help. Bring over a meal, walk the dog, mow the lawn, even hire a cleaning service.
Make a connection.
Spend quality time together. Even if you aren’t physically close, you can text, call, facetime.
Remember there is no time limit on your friend's or family member's feelings of grief, and there is no time constraint on when you reach out.
(BHG)