Think on These
Things
by Tom McLemore
Question: Mr. McLemore, I have several friends who have lost loved
ones. I want to be of comfort to them,
but I don’t know what to say. Can you
help me?
Answer: I am sure that almost everyone can relate to your
inquiry. I often feel inept in such
situations. I have learned that just
being there with a tear, a hug, or a needful act of kindness speaks more
effectively than words. And we can at
least avoid saying things that do not help.
True empathy is the most profitable servant of sympathy. Perhaps we can help by expressing ways in
which the deceased made our lives and the lives of others richer and happier.
Or we can commend the loved ones of the deceased for the ways in which they
showed their love and devotion. And we
can assure them of our prayers on their behalf and of our love. Comforting the bereaved only begins with our
initial expressions of sympathy. As time
passes, the best thing we can offer is a listening ear. We will perhaps be of greatest comfort by
caring throughout the grief process. I
hope that these suggestions are of some help.
Address questions to tommclemore@juno.com
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