Today we are getting a little serious.
Many of us have suffered the loss of a loved one, or gotten the news that someone close to us has fallen ill. I cam across an article that points out what you should and shouldn't say.
Ultimately, the lies we tell to someone in hopes of comforting them as they are battling a disease, illness or worse. In reality, these lies don't help, they hinder, so let's take a look at some great tips and things we can say to hopefully lift someone's spirits:
1. DON’T WRITE ME BACK. All patients get overwhelmed with
the burden of keeping everyone informed, coddled and feeling
appreciated. Social networking, while offering some relief, often
increases the expectation of round-the-clock updates.
To get around this problem, I appointed a “minister of information,”
whose job it was to disseminate news, deflect queries and generally be
polite when I didn’t have the energy or inclination to be. But you can
do your part, too: If you do drop off a fruitcake or take the dog for a
walk, insist the patient not write you a thank-you note. Chicken soup is
not a wedding gift; it shouldn’t come with added stress.
2. I SHOULD BE GOING NOW. You’ll never go wrong by
uttering these five words while visiting someone who’s sick. As Ms.
Pogrebin observes of such visits, don’t overstay your welcome. She
recommends 20 minutes, even less if the patient is tired or in pain. And
while you’re there, wash a few dishes or tidy up the room. And take out
the trash when you leave.
3. WOULD YOU LIKE SOME GOSSIP? One surefire tip: a
slight change of topic goes a long way. Patients are often sick of
talking about their illness. We have to do that with our doctors, nurses
and insurance henchmen. By all means, follow the lead of the
individual, but sometimes ignoring the elephant in the room is just the
right medicine. Even someone recovering from surgery has an opinion
about the starlet’s affair, the underdog in the playoffs or the big
election around the corner.
4. I LOVE YOU. When all else fails, simple, direct
emotion is the most powerful gift you can give a loved one going through
pain. It doesn’t need to be ornamented. It just needs to be real. “I’m
sorry you have to go through this.” “I hate to see you suffer.” “You
mean a lot to me.” The fact that so few of us do this makes it even more
meaningful.
Read the full article.
2 comments
I looked after Peanut for an extended long weekend while my parent's went away.
She's so cute and fun to have around...
except when she wakes me up at 3:45am to go outside.
except when she wakes me up at 3:45am to go outside.
Friday night my girl friend and I got Greek on Wheels and hung out.
Saturday I went to breakfast with some of my favourite girl friends.
Outfit deets: Gap denim jacket (DIY'ed), Old Navy dress & Joe Fresh suede boots.
A surprise from a friend and my fave.
Saturday morning breakfast.
After breakfast, my bff and I checked out the local Farmers Market... which was totally lame and we left after seeing everything in five minutes.
That evening I discovered my new favourite wine: Fuzion Pinot Grigio.
Clearly a favourite as the bottle is empty.
Saturday night dinner. Ahh-mazing.
Peanut and I relaxed on Sunday morning; I had a shake, she wished she had a shake.
Then we met up with a friend (and I wore my favourite denim shorts)...
...for some iced coffee on a patio.
On Sunday night there was some sort of hot-air-balloon festival happening and I snapped this shot from my bedroom window.
That evening we had an #XtremeWaterparks meeting to prep for the next day.
Outfit deets: Garage cropped denim jacket, Dynamite tube top and Pure & Simple maxi skirt.
Outfit deets: Garage cropped denim jacket, Dynamite tube top and Pure & Simple maxi skirt.
Monday morning, upon arrival at Calypso waterpark, way before opening hours.
After a long day of filming, climbing over 150 flights of stairs (not kidding) during the day and having the time of our lives; enjoying a cold one.
I actually managed to pull myself together on Monday evening and go out for dinner.
Outfit deets: Joe Fresh dress, vintage (thrifted) belt & Kelsi Dagger wedges.
Outfit deets: Joe Fresh dress, vintage (thrifted) belt & Kelsi Dagger wedges.
Probably the best (fois gras) burger I've ever had in my entire life.
Something crazy is happening today.
My friends and I have been chosen to take part in the filming of Xtreme Waterparks. The show debuted on the Travel Channel in July of this year and they are filming all over North and South America (from what I understand). Our group of four beat out twenty other groups that applied for this. Crazy!
That said, what you see above is what I will be wearing all day today during filming (HD filming, ack!), so we are hoping for warm weather. I'm seriously freaking out, actually, as I'm somewhat of a chicken when it comes to the more extreme water-slides (what have I gotten myself into!?).
Wish me luck and I'll let you know how it goes. Happy long weekend Monday!
UPDATE: Read about the experience HERE.
My friends and I have decided to get away this winter, and before the Christmas season. We just booked our trip to the Dominican Republic in November, and I couldn't be more excited. My last and only time I've ever been to an all-inclusive was for my honeymoon, so going with friends is definitely a different experience that I'm really looking forward to.
We are staying at the Sirenis in Punta Cana for a week. The idea of going away prior to Christmas is something so foreign to me, as if anything, I have gone away in February/March the past few years. It's very exciting to have a trip so soon and to kind of kick of the winter with!
(Pssst, did you also know I'm going to Vegas next month?!)
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