Yesterday I covered a few ideas about how to care creatively when someone dies. They are "tried and true" things that minister to and are appreciated by grieving families. But if you pay any attention at all to the "top stories" on the news, sometimes people don't just die; they die. Death and Tragedy join forces, leaving a mess of pain and numbness behind. Even in those times when Tragedy manages to escape Death, the reality left behind is beyond what most people can ever imagine. To make things even more complicated, Tragedy likes an audience. Those people who are unexpectedly thrown into horrific situations also find themselves being watched ... and talked about. Like it or not, theirs is a public ... Keep Reading...
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DEATH: Day 24 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things. ― Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid How can we creatively care for people during those days of trying to "readjust" after a time of loss? Quite honestly, it depends on how well we know the ones ... Keep Reading...
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COMMUNITY HELPERS: Day 23 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
They're a group that society tends to notice and "love on" during the holidays, but during the year ... I wonder. We sometimes call them Community Helpers. Many of them work long hours for low pay. Ways we can encourage them ... Learn their names Drop by their office with cookies, fruit, or snacks Send a thank you note Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in appreciation of their work Where applicable, offer to decorate their office for various seasons Reach out to the families of those professionals who often have to work on holidays Plan an appreciation event Are you (or a family member/close friend) a Community Helper? What would encourage you? This is part ... Keep Reading...
