A grief counselor in my town tells about a conversation he had with a taxi driver. Making conversation, the cab driver asked why he was in town. The counselor said, “I am here to teach the staff at a hospital how to be helpful someone who has experienced the death of a loved one.” The cabbie looked confused for a moment. But then he said, “I understand. You are going to teach them how to sit with.”
Now it was the professional who was confused. He asked, “What do you mean ‘sit with?’” The driver responded: “Well, when we have a death in our community, we always make sure we have someone there at the house to sit with the person who is sad.”
How simple and beautiful. I am no stranger to being with those who have a deep loss in their life. As a psychotherapist, I clearly know my role as helper. As a friend, I have the same anxiety most folks have on the way to the house of the mourner: “What will I say?” And then I remember this story. Just sit with.
Latest posts by Dr. Patrick O'Malley (see all)
- Bearing Witness - November 2, 2018
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- The Business of Loss - August 13, 2018