I’ve noticed that there is definite protocol on what to say and what not to say when someone has experienced loss.
I’m not sure anyone knows exactly what the protocol is, but it’s out there, eluding people, nonetheless.
My mom said a funny thing to me the other day. She said, “I feel badly. I went and looked up some resources on comforting people dealing with miscarriage and realized that I’ve already said three of the things you’re not supposed to say.”
I chuckled a little and said, “Really? I hadn’t noticed.” And it’s true. I hadn’t.
Two opposite realities have emerged as I listen to people talk to me, trying to provide some comfort and consolation:
1) If they really love me (or you), they can’t say the wrong thing. All the remarks that may not be perfect melt away when I see the true care they have for me in the Lord. Some friends seem to have a window into your soul, while others struggle to understand, but either way, their love covers it all.
2) Everything everyone says feels, in some sense, like the wrong thing, because it feels like there is only one “right” thing and that would be to tell me that none of this happened and my little one is still alive and growing in my tummy.
So, on the one hand, no one can say the right thing, because no one can tell me it was all a bad dream. And on the other hand anyone can say the right thing, if they’re motivated by genuine love.
I don’t want to negate the fact that some very insensitive things are said to people during their time of grief. I’m not immune to this and I think it’s good to have some “don’t say” lists to de-hallmark-ize and de-trivialize the things people get in the habit of saying.
But, on the other hand, people get paralyzed when they’re made to feel that no one can or should speak into another’s loss.
All this to say that if it comes down to a choice between avoiding and saying nothing versus taking a risk and saying the less-than-perfect thing, I vote for the latter.
I’d rather have someone who really loves me step up and say something, than look at me uncomfortably from a distance and feel that avoidance is a must because they don’t want to say the wrong thing. Even when I’m emotionally exhausted and want to be left alone, the person who speaks to me out of their love for the Lord and for me can never be faulted.
And who knows but that the Lord might use those words or the remembrance of their care at a later time to minister to my soul.
So my encouragement to you, dear reader, is to be the body of Christ to your grieving friends: be His arms around them and His soothing voice comforting them. And if you’re the one hurting, let them do that for you, even if it isn’t how you would have scripted it. That’s what I’m aiming for, very imperfectly, as I walk in this valley.
Abi, I cannot even begin to fathom what this whole thing must be like for you, but I want you to know that the branch of the Andersons down here in Waco are lifting you and Tom up in our prayers. I wish I could be there to give you a hug myself. Thank you for these words – sometimes we forgot that as Christians we can’t fix everything, and the best we can do is simply be.
Yeah, good words. I would definitely agree. When I lost my dad, the worst was when people didn’t even acknowledge that I was hurting. Like you wrote, no one can take this all away, but an acknowledgment is important.
We continue to pray that God’s grace and mercy is very real to your whole family. Is Tom’s mouth any better?
What a lovely post, Abigail.
Thank you, Abigail! This was helpful. Please know that you are frequently in my thoughts and prayers.
You are very wise. And totally correct. Grief is a very difficult thing to deal with. It doesn’t even matter what the grief is about. Love you.
Hey Abi, I haven’t been on your blog for awhile, nor did I get the chance to say goodbye the last time we met. Both things I have regretted. I did want to say that it’s fantastic to have a glimpse at such a beautiful mind and for that I thank you. Ever since catching up on your blog today, you have very much been in my thoughts. You have touched many people, and smiled upon that many more that I have no doubt or measure of your perseverance. I am so sorry for your loss, happy you have so many that love you and want you to know that you are in my thoughts.
-b
I’m so afraid of saying the wrong thing in those situations that I just do everything in mime.
@ dogearedpreacher- Comfort via mime.. not an altogether bad idea.
@Andy- Tom’s doing a quite a bit better, thanks. We’ll keep you posted.
@everyone else, thanks for kindness.