When You Don’t Know What To Say

Recently at Brougham Place we have been talking about and, for many, experiencing grief.

Often, when people are experiencing grief, they find that people avoid them or struggle to find the right words.

At a recent Pastoral Partners Luncheon at Brougham Place, we heard that when we know someone experiencing grief, we can offer our love and care in the form of a gentle listening presence. We can ask what support the person needs. We can hold back any ‘judgement’ about the way they are coping, because we all experience and cope with grief differently. And if we don’t know what to say, being present, offering a smile or a hug, are all loving expressions of care.

The song, “Don’t Know What To Say” by Olivia Newton John, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Amy Sky describes this beautifully.

“Thanks for being here
And listening to me
And letting me be sad
And letting me be mad
Just letting me be”

Listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/_RuOCCjSae4?si=4aqo_EsXXJCfkEIB

– Gloria Parker and Rev Linda Driver