Here is a link to a great article about helping people who grieve. As I wrote earlier, just being there is often enough, but when it isn’t, here are some guidelines for action.
There is an interesting point made about builders and firefighters.
The Woodiwisses distinguish between firefighters and builders. Firefighters drop everything and arrive at the moment of crisis. Builders are there for years and years, walking alongside as the victims live out in the world. Very few people are capable of performing both roles.
We have people who have been each one, and both together, and for that we are deeply grateful. We continue to cherish our friends and families, no matter what.
Here’s the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/opinion/brooks-the-art-of-presence.html?_r=2