You are not alone.
A Way for Hope
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
  • Publications
  • Recommended
  • Support

Listen with Your Heart

6/5/2020

 
Picture
by Sandy Walden
www.sandywalden.co."

What if we simply didn’t know how to support someone?

Two women, close friends who love one another. Sally had a miscarriage. The baby she already loved deeply was never to be born. She had died. Her friend Joan did her best to support Sally. Imperfect to be sure, but she did her best.

Down the road, Joan suffered a miscarriage. Heartbroken, truly devastated by the loss of the baby she would never hold in her arms.

Sally understood. She was there for Joan. She listened with an open heart. They cried together and shared a new understanding of what the other was experiencing.

Now Joan understood in a new way what Sally had felt and experienced so long ago. She apologized for the suggestions that she had made, words she had said that she now realized were not helpful and might have even been hurtful. Joan now understands that while she had made these suggestions and said these things with good intentions, it was possible that they were not what her friend had needed.

With tears rolling down her cheeks, Joan said again and again, ‘'I'm so sorry, I didn’t know.'

Sally responded, ‘I know you didn’t know, you did your best. I always appreciated your intentions. I could feel your love.’

This is a conversation that I witnessed. A few details changed to honor the privacy of both women. It was beautiful, forgiving and so very loving.

If you have a grieving heart, if you are supporting someone who is grieving – I encourage speaking, listening from the heart.
​
Namaste,
Sandy


If you are grieving, you might find comfort in a local or online GriefShare course. For more information, visit www.GriefShare.org.



Comments are closed.

      Subscribe

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Enya - Only Time 


    From the Garden

    Picture
    A new year brings new healing moments to those who have lost a loved one. This is a good time to start a gratitude journal. Writing down the smallest blessings helps ease the ache of loss.

    Sample Posts by Topic:
    Finding purpose
    ​Helping children grieve
    Formula for healing
    ​
    Healing Meditation
    Tears
    ​Changes
    Understanding
    Acceptance
    ​Books on grief and healing

    Please read my
    Disclaimer


    Links of Value:

    Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors

    National Alliance on Mental Illness

    Peaceful Scriptures

    Word of God

    ​"My Story" Big Daddy Weave 
    o

    "Hope in Front of Me"
    Danny Gokey


    The Joy FM

    Traumatic Loss

    Traumatic loss or preexisting conditions can worsen mental health. Use this info graphic to find help.

    "Take Charge of Your Mental Health" - a free download from www.nami.org:
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.