This Woman Asked For Advice On How To Cope With Grief, An Old Man's Reply Captivates Everybody

Aug 22, 2018

If you have ever lost anyone close to you to death, you know how painful it can be. No one seems to know what to say to you. They either say too much or they don’t say enough. What they don’t realize is it matters more what they say rather than how much they say.

Common phrases you might hear are “I’m sorry for your loss,” or “I’ll pray for you,” or “There’s a reason for everything.” Some phrases are more appropriate than others depending on the person and the situation. However, it makes us question what the right thing is to say to someone who is grieving.

There aren’t many people who think about losing a love one often. It doesn’t cross your mind on a daily basis. This is why when it does happen, you are in a total state of shock. It takes you by surprise and you don’t know how to process it. Its hard to know what to do next and how to handle it.

One woman posted on an online forum about the loss of her friend and this old man’s response was beautiful. Posting about your grief on the internet can wither help you or hurt you. Its a risk. Many people tell you their own stories and try to help but it could end up making you feel more upset than before. However, this older man’s response to this woman truly spoke to her heart.

He starts off by explaining he has lost many people throughout his life. He said each loss hurt and he never go used to losing someone close to him. However, he explained he knows that the more it hurts and the deeper the scar, the more the love there was. He explained the grief comes in waves. Sometimes its all you can do to stay alive or “to float”.

He tells the woman that she will have periods when she can function normally. You never know when or what will trigger the grief. Eventually you will learn what triggers the grief and be able to prepare for it mentally. And if you are lucky enough to have loved someone so greatly, you will have the scars to prove it.

He left a very strong and powerful message to this woman that is sure to leave most people feeling better. Be grateful you were able to love someone so much to be able to miss them so much! So how do you help someone who is grieving a loss? Here are a few helpful things to consider:

• Know the stages of grief
• Know what you should say, even just telling them you are sorry for their loss
• Offer to help with their day to day activities
• Keep supporting them, not just once but repeatedly
• Keep your eye out for symptoms of depression, in case you need to get them further help

Losing someone is hard, but having someone there to comfort you or say the right thing can help. Take these tips and help a friend or family member in their time of need.