Thank you for sharing. I struggle with words. A friend told me when she lost her 17 yr old son, that it really upset her when people told her they were sorry for her loss. I am guilty of all at some point in my life and I am not sure where it comes from. Is it learned from a young age hearing our family say these words? I have also said how can I help? That also never felt “right”. Ever since my friend told me it upset her when she heard “I am so sorry” I now freeze, afraid to say anything, knowing I can’t change what has happened.
Thank you so much for reading and for your comment, Alana!
I totally empathize, I feel the same paralysis too. It's what inspired me to write this piece. I'd been talking to a friend who's lost everything in the fires and didn't know what to say. It's hard to do. And I think knowing there is nothing truly right to say allows us a bit of grace, all we can do is meet someone where they are. I'd always take clumsy support rather than nothing at all. Thanks for your thought and care!
Thank you for sharing. I struggle with words. A friend told me when she lost her 17 yr old son, that it really upset her when people told her they were sorry for her loss. I am guilty of all at some point in my life and I am not sure where it comes from. Is it learned from a young age hearing our family say these words? I have also said how can I help? That also never felt “right”. Ever since my friend told me it upset her when she heard “I am so sorry” I now freeze, afraid to say anything, knowing I can’t change what has happened.
Thank you so much for reading and for your comment, Alana!
I totally empathize, I feel the same paralysis too. It's what inspired me to write this piece. I'd been talking to a friend who's lost everything in the fires and didn't know what to say. It's hard to do. And I think knowing there is nothing truly right to say allows us a bit of grace, all we can do is meet someone where they are. I'd always take clumsy support rather than nothing at all. Thanks for your thought and care!
I feel the same. The need to let them know you care. Sorry to hear about your friend in LA. I can’t even imagine. 🙏🏽
My cousins live there. One was on standby, luckily the fire changed direction. There are no words for these kinds of catastrophes 😢