Have you ever had to tell someone bad news.......
By palonghorn
@palonghorn (5479)
United States
April 3, 2010 9:35pm CST
and the only way to reach them was by phone? My son-in-law's father passed away this evening, in the Phillipines. His sister notified my daughter, and she had to break the news to her hubby, by phone. He's deployed serving his country, so it's the only way she could tell him. It's hard enough breaking bad news to someone when you can be there to do it, but to have to do over the phone makes it even harder. Have you ever had this happen to you?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
4 Apr 10
I feel for your son-in-law, both for his loss and the way he had to receive the news. I had to ring one of my sons to tell him that 2 of his grandparents had passed away (separately) and both of them when we lost my younger brother. I received the news about my brother by phone from his fiancee's mother and then had to go and tell my mum. At least I could visit her and tell her face-to-face.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
5 Apr 10
Thank you Wizzy, it was hard for my daughter to do, it was her first experience with having to make that kind of call.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
4 Apr 10
Hi palonghorn~ That is such sad news. I feel so very badly for
your son-in law losing his father and having to be told in
that way. It is hard enough losing his dad, but being so far
away from his family and having to hear it on the phone and
not being able to be there with them. That is truly heartbreaking.
I am so very sorry for him. I hope that he will be able to
be ok. There is no way that they will allow him to have some
kind of leave in this instance? I don't know too much about
the rules of deployment. I will pray for him and his family~
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
4 Apr 10
I've never had to deliver the bad news either, other than when our dog passed away. She and my daughter had pretty much grown up together, and I had to call my daughter who was away at college and tell her.
@ElicBxn (64177)
• United States
4 Apr 10
My sister did it to me about our dad. Even broke into a phone call long distance to tell me to come home, that he wasn't doing well.
I'm sorry she had to do that, I think if she had contacted the right people, they could've dispatched someone to tell him in person, but maybe she didn't know how, or wanted to do it herself.
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@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
4 Apr 10
She probably didn't even think of that. Partly she probably wanted to tell him, even if she couldn't in person, at least he would hear her voice. On top of that, she is traveling, driving back to Virginia from Texas. And I'm sure it's upsetting to her, more so now, she's pregnant and much more emotional thanks to raging harmones.
@anurag3786 (6265)
• India
4 Apr 10
Yes i had told 2-3 times bad news to someone.. but i memorize only one.. before 2-3 years i had told my friends.. when his final years results are awaited.. of graduation.. and when result comes.. then i checked his result.. and he was failed.. so i told him.. this news.. have a nice day and keep mylotting always..
1 person likes this
@sleepylittlerose (1648)
• United States
4 Apr 10
Got some bad news by phone today. I know it's not quite the same as losing a human member of the family; but we had to have our horse (that we have raised since he was born) put down. My mom and dad have had him for 27 years and it is just like losing a child. My mom called me earlier today to tell me that he was not acting right and that she was going to call the vet. Then about 5 pm, I got the call that the vet said it was best to put him down so he did not suffer. I made the 45 minute trip out to my mom and dad's house to be with them.
Please send condolences to your daughter and son-in-law. I will say a little prayer for them tonight.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
4 Apr 10
Thank you. It's not the same, but not far from it when he's been with y'all that long. I've also lost dogs that were very old, and it is like losing a member of the family. I'm sorry about your horse.
@chenxiaoyue_713 (2165)
• China
4 Apr 10
Hi, friend. It's really hard to break some bad news to others, especially to our beloved ones. I once had such an experience too. It was about one of my friends who asked me to do her a favor which was something hard to do. I tried my best but the outcome didn't turn to be what i had expected. I felt sorry for her as it was something closely related to her employment, but i could do nothing but break the bad news to her. It took me much courage to call her. But i did call her at last and told her how sorry i was. If possible, i don't want to have such an experience again.
