Widows and Widowers -What Do They Need? - How Can You Help?

When Empathy Is Really Appreciated

Helen found that it was when the majority of her relatives had returned to their daily routines that she most needed emotional support.  "Friends and family are there for you in the beginning," she says, "but then their lives go back to normal.   Your life, however, doesn't."  Being conscious of that reality, true friends will make themselves available and provide ongoing support.

Perhaps a widow or widower may particularly need company on anniversaries, such as a wedding anniversary or the date of a mate's death. Eileen, mentioned earlier, says that her adult son makes up for the emptiness she experiences on her wedding anniversary.  "Every year," she says,  "my son Kevin takes me out for the day. I have lunch with him, and it has just been something between mum and son.  "Why not take note of these most difficult periods for a family member or a friend who is a widow or a widower?  You could then arrange for yourself  or others to be with that person during such a difficult day. - PROVERBS 17:17.

Some have found that those who have lost a mate themselves can be of comfort. Annie, who has been a widow for eight years, says of her association with another widow, "Her determination made a strong impression on me and encouraged me to keep moving forward."

Yes, after overcoming the initial stages of grief, widows and widowers can become a source of inspiration and hope for others. Two widows mentioned in the Bible,the young woman Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi, benefited from the support they gave to each other.  That touching account describes how the mutual care these women displayed helped them overcome grief and cope with the challenging situation they faced. - RUTH 1:15-17; 3:1; 4:14, 15. 

Next time: Widows and Widowers-What Do They Need? - How Can You Help?

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