fbpx
Skip to content
Search for:
Bobs Banter

Bobs Banter

Inspirational Stories, spiced with Humour

  • Home
  • Columns
  • Videos
  • About the Author

Shut Up, When Others Grieve..!

Common Sense 
May 13, 2021 Robert Clements 7

The other day I called someone who had lost her husband. After a while I held the phone in silence and let her cry.

One of the silliest things I have seen at a funeral is someone going across to the bereaved party, holding his or her hand and telling them not to worry everything will be alright!

Everything will be alright?

Can you imagine what the grieved person feels when you say the death of a loved one is going to be made alright in the twinkling of an eye? So often we don’t understand how trivial we make of someone who is grieving. Sometimes instead of such ordinary words of comfort it is best we leave a grieving person without such silly words. So, how do you comfort those who mourn?

Experts tell us, among other things, to simply say, “I’m sorry” or “I love you.” Often, the less said, the better, so long as you are present, you care and you listen.

American poet Edgar Guest, told of a neighbor by the name of Jim Potter. Mr. Potter ran the medical store near where Edgar Guest lived. Mostly they smiled and exchanged greetings when they happened to see one another.

One tragic night the poet’s first-born child died. He felt overcome with grief. Several days after the death, Guest had reason to go to the drug store run by his neighbor. When he entered, Jim Potter motioned for him to come behind the counter. “Eddie,” he said, “I really can’t express to you the great sympathy that I have for you at this time. All I can say is that I am terribly sorry, and if you need for me to do anything, you can count on me.”

Many years later Edgar Guest reflected on that encounter. He said, “Just a person across the way – a passing acquaintance. Jim Potter may have long since forgotten that moment when he extended his hand to me in sympathy, but I shall never forget it – never in all my life.”

As the poet thought back to that unhappy time, one vivid memory, just a brief encounter, shone brightest. And it meant the world to a grieving father.

Those who comfort others bring no less than a piece of heaven to earth.

A small story I love repeating is that of a girl who heard that her neighbor had lost her son. She asked permission of her mother to go across and visit the grieving mother. The surprised mother of the little girl waited patiently for her daughter to come back and then asked her what words of comfort she had given to the grieving mother.

“Nothing,” said the litter girl, “I just crept onto her lap and wept with her!”

When others grieve your silent presence helps more than words..!

———————————————
ENROLL…
…Get trained by the very person whose article you just read! Don’t wait! Send a thumbs up for details to 9892572883 and let Robert Clements train you in his easy and comfortable way Let the power of WORDS spoken and written effectively and forcefully, change your life! Join the Writer’s and Speaker’s Course, June Batch TODAY! Send a thumbsup to 9892572883 now!

………………………………………

Would love to hear from you in the COMMENTS section below…and IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE BOB’S BANTER EVERYDAY, PLEASE SEND YOUR NAME AND WHATSAPP PHONE NO TO rtgclements@gmail.com
————————————————–

56
SHARES
ShareTweet
bob's banter
shut up when other's grieve

Post navigation

Cheap Car, Cheap Vaccine..!
Second Dose of Milk-Powder..!

Related News

It’s Not about Tamil or Hindi..!
Uncategorized 
April 7, 2025
It’s Not about Tamil or Hindi..!
 More Than Tears Needed..!
Uncategorized 
September 27, 2024
 More Than Tears Needed..!
Uniform Eating Code..!
satire  Uncategorized 
August 19, 2024
Uniform Eating Code..!
Convert Your Work Into Service..!
Uncategorized 
March 18, 2024
Convert Your Work Into Service..!
Sweetened Tongues..!
Uncategorized 
October 7, 2023
Sweetened Tongues..!
Choosing a Father..!
Uncategorized 
September 18, 2023
Choosing a Father..!
prev
next

7 thoughts on “Shut Up, When Others Grieve..!”

  1. Anchees says:
    May 14, 2021 at 6:36 am

    This brings to mind the day my mummy died; friend just held my hand and stood with me for a long time. No words exchanged, no sorrys, nothing. She just took my hand and spent a long time with me. I can never forget her and have written an article about it. Silent company is precious in times of grief and mourning.

    Reply
  2. A Tarapore says:
    May 14, 2021 at 8:07 am

    “Silent presence means more than words”. So very very true. There are those who mouth endless meaningless platitudes. But a hug or a handshake or just sitting by your side means everything.

    Reply
  3. sharad vishnu prabhudesai says:
    May 14, 2021 at 9:50 am

    one can hardly do at that movement of grief than just to be with him and assure support.

    Reply
  4. Kripa Noronha says:
    May 14, 2021 at 10:29 pm

    Jesus wept when Lazarus died as his sisters did. The Bible teaches us to weep with those who weep.If we pray with those in grief, the Holy Spirit will comfort them. A relative usually brings food for the family.

    Reply
  5. Kripa Noronha says:
    May 14, 2021 at 10:29 pm

    Jesus wept when Lazarus died as his sisters did. The Bible teaches us to weep with those who weep.If we pray with those in grief, the Holy Spirit will comfort them. A relative usually brings food for the family.

    Reply
  6. Sonia Rodrigues says:
    May 14, 2021 at 11:08 pm

    Totally agree Bob At such times, silence speaks volumes and mere presence is more than sufficient.

    Reply
  7. Balkar singh says:
    May 15, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Well, no words can compensate for the loss of a grieving person. The wordless presence of a friend or a sympathiser in such situations can serve to be a source of comfort and relief to as extent.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

robert clements

Search for:

Categories

Archives

Tags

abide with me anger bank collapse bill gates bloomberg bob's banter brawn car cars cat child christ christmas coronavirus dare death eyes on your goal faith fear funeral gandhi gen macarthur german shepherd God good morning growing old handcuffs home hope jesus kashmir lynching music namaste napoleon new york niagara politicians rape sedition shame suicide trees tyrants win

About Us

Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.

Bob's Banter

Open chat
1
WhatsApp
Send a 'Hi' to get course details.