Father's Day gives society a chance to honor and show gratitude to all the men in our lives that act as fathers and father figures. But how do we help someone in bereavement who is dealing with the passing of their father?
When my dear friend lost her father, there was no amount of support that felt enough. She was beside herself as she struggled with the loss, and I knew that as Father's Day approached, it was going to be a tough holiday for her to get through. No doubt, Father's Day can bring forth a barrage of mourning and fresh sense of loss for many, but there are ways to help alleviate the pain.
There is no easy way to be there for someone experiencing the loss of a father. What worked for my friend may not work for your loved one and it's important to respect their space, boundaries, and needs during this time. That may mean running over to their house to give them a shoulder to cry on or sending them a "thinking of you" text and letting them process the day solo. For my friend, having her support system take these actions above reminded her that she wasn't alone in this heartbreaking rite of passage. Inevitably, most of us will deal with the loss of a parent, but by having an empathetic community, there's a chance that some of the pain can be minimized, especially during difficult holidays like Father's Day.