Is there an easy way to help someone get over pain when they lose a loved one?

sadness and life, grieving for someone, losing a l - the photo depicts sadness and solitude...
@pickoy (733)
Philippines
May 27, 2009 3:34am CST
My sister has just lost (4) four of her friends, they all drowned when their boat sank on their way to the resort. She's really depressed right now coz at that time she really intended on going with them but my mom refused coz she had prior commitment on spending time with the family. The authorities said that the boat left Batangas City pier for the tourist resort town of Puerto Galera. It never took long before it sent out a distress call. The boat still sank even though there's a fine weather. Witnesses informed that the boat was overloaded. Upon knowing about the tragedy, she cried all day and night. I know it hurts, and there's no easy way to say things, for her to understand that its inevitable... everybody dies, only time can tell when. Bonds that we share among our friends are pretty strong that it really hurts when we lose them... more if its a family member. How do you comfort someone who is grieving when you know there's nothing else you can do but be there for them and just listen?
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6 responses
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
28 May 09
That is a very sad story. Thank you for sharing - we plan on going on a trip a couple of months from now and we'll make sure that we won't let such a mistake happen to our trip (regarding overloaded boat). I believe that there's really no easy way to help her get over the pain - it would be there for a VERY very long time and on her certain situation, there would also be a certain kind of guilt because she might feel that she was supposed to be there... and that if she was, maybe things would have turned out differently and they might all still be together. I believe that she should not suppress her grief - she should cry as much as she wants but she would have to stop eventually. There's no specific timeline for this - you'd just know when it has been too long and she should stop grieving and start moving on. Then she has to accept her loss, which is very different. The best way to make her feel better - when she's ready to feel better, is to make her laugh :) It's not an easy task but it's the best cure there is. You're a nice sibling, I hope you stay with your sister in her time of need. Thanks for the response on my discussion!
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@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
28 May 09
Did you mean that the friend's father scolded your sister in someway even though it was not her fault? o.o That was just mean and uncalled for!
@pyarebhai (199)
• India
27 May 09
there certain situation, which every body has go through, patient, kindness, compassion for thouse persons who are undergoing pain when they lose a loved one, they may be treated with loving-kindness intimacy which can not expressed with appropriate emotions, which are just to that particular situation with utmost intilligent-care, which most complex in nature but with clever insight
@pickoy (733)
• Philippines
30 May 09
Well said. Thanks for your response. I find it really hard to find the right words to say to someone whenever they are sad. I usually prefer to just listen and just stay patient with all their emotional outburst or sudden change of moods. I can't blame them... grieving is a natural process that every person has to go through and learn from.
• India
30 May 09
Thank you for the response, these situation are serios in nature, when we are ready to help, but we donot have sufficiant appropriate words with which we can able to help in that particular situation. but one can take guidence from the Divine books i.e. Holy Koran, Bible, other important useful guides for the betterment of human life., also we seek guidance from the leaned wise persons, whose words of wisdom only can help or guidance from the God himself
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
27 May 09
I'm so sorry that your sister has to go through all this. My heart certainly goes out to her. As for how you can handle this difficult period, just be there for her. You don't need to say anything or do anything. Just be with her, make sure that she's never alone lest she gets so depressed. Just have a light chat with her and try not to remind her of that sad incident.
@JHEZ924 (119)
• Philippines
28 May 09
Hi, I think the best way you can do for her is to pray for her to recover in her current situation and for her friends soul. It is not easy to get over the pain especially right now that the event is still fresh for her. Time heals everything. Just don't make her left behind. If she wants somebody to talk to, be there even if she just want to reminisce the moments with her friends. Tell her more on positive outlook in life and that event happen for a reason. Anyways, as time passes by, she'll be alright...
• Philippines
27 May 09
I am very sorry to hear that. As I've read through your article, it's like I felt what your sister is actually feeling. Losing four friends is not a thing where you can actually move on when you want to. But I am happy that you try your best to comfort her. I think it's better that you let her cry for quite some time. Don't talk about the incident when unnecessary and emphatize with her. I hope it helps.
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@pickoy (733)
• Philippines
27 May 09
Yes, I let her talk and I just listen coz opening it up will definitely change her mood. We all try to cheer her up, but I also know it doesn't help much. Families always tend to try to change the feelings of someone when they are sad even though its impossible to do at the moment... but I guess, it won't hurt to try, at least we get her mind off the incident and focus on things that will help her heal.
@technoobs (406)
• Philippines
28 May 09
I thought there is no other way but to long term effect in resolving this issue. There might not be a quick cure but has to undergo long term effect before everything will be accepted and to let go. It may be the gravest one to bear as to always think of the best possible thing to do. That is to remember them not to forget they are always in good to the other side of life.
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