My thoughts and prayers are with you
After my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I promised myself that I would be more aware and responsive when I met or heard about other people with an ill or dying parent, because the people who’d been there before me were invaluable as I embarked on this weird journey of aging parents.
That promise to myself includes Internet friends, too.
I try to comment when I read about a blogger’s parent falling ill or when someone is needed at the same time by both their kids and their aging parents, even if I don’t know them well.
To this day, one of the online people who helped me the most when my mother was sick was an anonymous commenter who just let me write and write and he or she responded for as long as I needed to write. They appeared out of nowhere and went back to nowhere after I was done.
One of the things I write on people’s blogs when a parent is ill is, “My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”
I know that’s not very original, and it may sound trite, but the thing is, now that I “get it”, I wish I had a better way to tell people that I really mean it. I really do remember and say a prayer for people when I read something like that.
I know some people aren’t the praying types, and I hope they don’t find it offensive. While I’m not sure what measurable effect, if any, it has on the situation, I figure it couldn’t hurt.
Just thought you should know.
I don’t think what you say at these times are as important as saying something. I know that when my mom was placed on hospice just know ing that others were thinking about my struggles meant al the world. Even in this big web world we tend to cluster into blog groups, where the more personal contact is possible. . . . . . Di
Elizabeth. this is one lady who could not make it without prayer.
Before I fall asleep at night
Before my feet hit the floor in the morning
Where else could I find wisdom, healing and a bounty of love.
Some of us come to prayer not by choice but by necessity – but we find in time that we can hardly do without it.
I am a woman who prays but I have also “lost my way” many many times, including recently. I have begun to rekindle my faith and have found a great deal of comfort in that, as well as finding comfort in many commenters on my blog who don’t even know me, personally anyway. My step-dad and his presence in my family has been a blessing and his recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
I forgot to tell you that in the case where the parent has passed away you can offer the waterbug story. go to my website http://www.totaldelights.com/Waterbug.html
here is a copy of the story copy and paste it and share it with others it has been a great comfort to those of us with loved ones who are gone. . . . . .Di
I noticed and appreciated that you were very nice when I mentioned that my dad had died. (I dread father’s day anymore). I try to be more sensitive to people now too.
It’s Relay time again. Your mom is in my thoughts.