When a loved one passes away, often times the grieving family is inundated with thoughtful and caring phone calls, cards, deliveries of food…lots of food, and many people asking ‘what can I do to help you through this rough time’. Many times those grieving don’t know what they need to help them through. When my father passed away, I was exhausted from helping to care lovingly for him in his final days and from being the strong, supportive daughter and sister. When I shared the news of his passing with my best friend of 20 years, she simply told me she was coming to do whatever I needed her to do to help me through this time. I thanked her and told her that her thoughtfulness was appreciated but not necessary. She didn’t listen to me and I’m glad. Just her presence at such an awful time was what I needed. She was a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and a caregiver to my children when I couldn’t find an ounce of energy to handle the job myself. She didn’t ask what needed to be done – she just did what she saw needed to be done. I will forever be grateful to her for stepping in and being what I needed when I didn’t know what I needed for myself. –J, 39
A sidekick can be a life-saver.
