cw: Grief

I’m transparent about this. But I’ve lost my parents, a brother, and all of my grandparents.

What’s made a difference in my healing? Having loved ones not say, “If there’s anything you need, let me know.” They didn’t put that responsibility on me. Instead... https://twitter.com/aarickawash/status/1385054284161630211
They did what felt right for them. Flowers. Baked good from my favorite bakery. Cards. Texts.

I appreciate all of it because I truthfully didn’t know what it was that I needed until I had it.
I also had loved ones give me space. There were days when I wanted company, others days when I couldn’t do it.

No one was upset with me. In fact, they supported it and loved me through it.
Other things that people gave: time (sitting with me by the fire, helping me laugh), service (coming over to pack my belongings when I traveled home after bad news), and thoughts/prayers/thinking of yous/good vibes. I’m grateful for it all.
Lastly, because my parents’ passings were months apart (4 yrs ago), I didn’t tell anyone about my dad’s passing. I didn’t want anyone to feel obligated to repeat their acts of kindness from when my mom passed.

I discredited my friends, however. I didn’t give them a chance to...
show up for me in a way that served them and me.

Don’t do this. Don’t discredit loved ones by thinking for them, assuming they can’t handle what you’re going through.

No one knows how to help in these situations. I still struggle with this when others go through it.
Let your love come from a genuine place, and I promise those grieving will feel it.

Sometimes you may not have money to send flowers. Offer a text. Sometimes you can’t find the words. Offer time. Offer what you can’t without compromising yourself.

That kind of love permeates.
One more tweet...then I’m done LOL.

We don’t talk about it brought, but if you’re grieving and don’t know how to show up for others that are grieving, please let that guilt go.

I’ve struggled with this. I’ve struggled with feeling like a hypocrite. But y’all...it’s not easy.
Colleagues may want to talk about it at work. If you ask someone how they’re doing, let them know that you know that days can change. Grief comes and goes.

“How are you today?” is a much better question. I got this from “Option B.”
You can follow @antwan_eady.
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