When you love someone whose loved one dies...

When you love someone whose loved one dies...
you may feel awkward, you may feel helpless,
this is understandable, this is completely ok.

Don't let the fear or awkwardness keep you from reaching out.
Even if you reach out to say,
"I don't know what to say."

Don't give platitudes, like
"They are at peace"
"Other people have it worse"
"God has a reason."

Maybe, just listen.
It hurts just to listen.
You want to stop the pain.
You can’t stop the pain.

The griever needs to go through the grief.
They are alone in their unique grief.
You can't take away the grief,
But you can be witness to it.

You can say I hear you.
I feel for you.
I love you.
I am here for you, always.

This is the most you can do, and the least you can do.
Be there.
Be there, when the question is anything, or anyone left.