Wednesday, August 25, 2010

How to help a friend who has lost a child

I had the honor of guest posting on my friend Missy's blog (It's Almost Naptime) today. She is actually a friend I have never had the pleasure of meeting in person, but I discovered her blog a while back and it soon became my favorite. We started emailing and it turned out she had followed Joseph's story and had been praying for him for months. Missy is one of the funniest and sweetest people ever. If you don't already read her blog you really should!
A few weeks ago she asked if I would write a little something about how to help a friend who has lost a child, so if you are interested you can hop over there and take a look.

12 comments:

Jean Joiner said...

what a great article, gil. thanks for helping us...i know i don't always do the right thing for others who are grieving. sometimes i do the worst which is to ignore it all together for fear of saying the wrong thing. i'm trying to grow in that area though. love to you.

Audrey B said...

What a great post. Thank you so much. I too have lost a son and you put the feelings that I have into words quite well. I am so sorry that you know that pain.

Anonymous said...

Gill, I wish you would post more often. You're inspirational in your words and your mentality and you help me appreciate even the crappiest days.
Joseph died on my Dad's 65th birthday and every year while we are singing happy birthday to my dad, I am thinking of you.
Suzanne (Kennedy)

John and Sue Burch said...

Gilian - the thoughts you shared are so helpful. I have saved it and hope I don't have to use it - but knowing this world - know I will. You and Alan remain in our prayers. We do remember! More than that - your Heavenly Father who loves you so much remembers and knows. Praying - Sue

suzanne morris said...

Thanks so much for sharing from your experience. I learned things I wish I'd known 2 years ago.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for writing such valuable words for those of us that have never walked in your pain. We will be saving your post to help us as we minister to others. Please don't stop writing. You will never know how often God has used you in our lives. We pray for you all often.
love,
Vann & Norma

Us4 Cats said...

i came across your blog via 'its almost naptime'...

your families experience was very sad but your post very thoughtful and willful.
i am so sorry to hear of your loss.

as you know, you had a very brave little boy who loves you from heaven, as you also know .

hugs to you and yours.

Brea said...

I really enjoy Missy's blog - she's always simultaneously entertaining and insightful!

You've written a great guide on how to help a grieving friend. It can be so hard to know what to say or how to act, but in so many ways you make it easier for your friends to support you by sharing your heart and being open with others in your grief. Thank you! Continuing to pray that the Lord will heal you and sustain you.

Anonymous said...

What a great post. I shared it with my FOD support group as many of those parents have lost a child and we are always looking for ways to help. It is because of you and these beautifully thoughtful posts that your child and his legacy will live on forever. My prayers are with you and your family.

Along the Way said...

Gillian,
Thank you for sharing your heart oh so well. You amaze me..or rather Jesus in you astounds me. Grieving is such a hard thing to approach at times--thank you for being vulnerable enough to share.
love to your family...

suzebab said...

I love the picture of you and Joseph.
Your words teach me how to better love.

Susan

Megan Jenkins said...

What a helpful article, thanks so much. Been meaning to write and tell you I was so glad to officially meet you at the YMCA the other week. We had just started at Intown when Joseph got sick and I have been praying for you and reading your blog ever since. Hope to see you around church soon!