What to Say When the Unspeakable Happens?
We can all find ourselves in situations where the life of someone who is very important to us turns upside down. Their partner dies, they suffer a serious accident, a sick child is born, their house burns down, or they discover they have a terminal illness. What should we do in these situations?
Our usual coping mechanisms fail. Humor doesn’t work, suggesting smart solutions provokes anger, our questions are met with silence, and it’s impossible to divert attention from what consumes their entire consciousness — the tragedy.
Let’s face it, these situations are incredibly difficult for two reasons. First, because we must watch our family member or friend be picked up by life and thrown down with such force that we wonder if they will ever be able to stand up again. Secondly, because this immediately stirs our own fear that this could happen to us at any moment.