Thank you for writing with such respect and compassion. A difficult decision: shall I speak to him or leave him alone at this private moment. I think the father loved to speak about his son.
I had a similar experience. My 60 year old brother died unexpectedly. The situation was very difficult for me. He had schizophrenia and these last months we were near each other like never before. But due to his illness, it was also difficult. I didn’t show enough understanding-in hindsight. My heart was very heavy and broken. Another woman came and stood at the same graveyard (a communal grave). After a while we began to speak. Turns out she mourned her brother who died the same age and was also schizophrenic. We had similar experiences and thoughts. It was so relieving for me to speak and someone would listen and understand.
Thank you, Jenny, and thanks for reading. As I said to another commenter, I’ve never understood avoiding grieving or ill people. I think in those moments we need human connectin more than ever.
Actually, I do understand the hesitation. When someone is vulnerable we don’t want to make it worse. But I think reaching out is almost always the right thing to do.
Well done, Michael, for not avoiding a man wrapped in grief, for listening, and for showing us the power of compassion, the fragility of human life (including your own), and a Europe in which a man can be both Syrian and Norwegian.
This was the story I needed to hear this morning. Left me in tears. Thank you for sharing, but most of all, thank you for taking the time to hear Saleh tell the story of Jade.
Great story. I respect you for your willingness to open up and chat with a grieving father. Probably made his day and allowed him to feel proud to talk about his son after so many years.
That would be lovely. I'd love to know because I was so worried about causing him distress. I think I hemmed and hawed for fifteen minutes before finally approaching him.
Thank you for writing with such respect and compassion. A difficult decision: shall I speak to him or leave him alone at this private moment. I think the father loved to speak about his son.
I had a similar experience. My 60 year old brother died unexpectedly. The situation was very difficult for me. He had schizophrenia and these last months we were near each other like never before. But due to his illness, it was also difficult. I didn’t show enough understanding-in hindsight. My heart was very heavy and broken. Another woman came and stood at the same graveyard (a communal grave). After a while we began to speak. Turns out she mourned her brother who died the same age and was also schizophrenic. We had similar experiences and thoughts. It was so relieving for me to speak and someone would listen and understand.
Thank you, Jenny, and thanks for reading. As I said to another commenter, I’ve never understood avoiding grieving or ill people. I think in those moments we need human connectin more than ever.
Actually, I do understand the hesitation. When someone is vulnerable we don’t want to make it worse. But I think reaching out is almost always the right thing to do.
Well done, Michael, for not avoiding a man wrapped in grief, for listening, and for showing us the power of compassion, the fragility of human life (including your own), and a Europe in which a man can be both Syrian and Norwegian.
Thanks very much, Annette. And, yes, to Europe and to Norway being such a great country.
This was the story I needed to hear this morning. Left me in tears. Thank you for sharing, but most of all, thank you for taking the time to hear Saleh tell the story of Jade.
Thanks, Sue. And thanks for reading.
A lovely, sad story. People often want to talk about their loved ones, say their names, after they have passed. Thank you for listening.
Thanks, Anara. And thank you for taking the time to read it.
Beautiful and powerful story 💙
Thanks and thank you for reading it.
Wooooo, you made me cry. You managed the situation beautifully. Thank you for writing about it for us.
🥰🥰🙏🏻🙏🏻
Great story. I respect you for your willingness to open up and chat with a grieving father. Probably made his day and allowed him to feel proud to talk about his son after so many years.
Thank you, Matthew.
What a wonderful thing to do! I’m sure that man will always remember your kindness and empathy. ❤️
That would be lovely. I'd love to know because I was so worried about causing him distress. I think I hemmed and hawed for fifteen minutes before finally approaching him.
Thank you for your heartfelt skill in RELATING to and writing about this. I'm 78. I've been on both sides of this, i deeply appreciate your insight.
Thank you very much, David. And thanks for reading.
This vignette was so moving - thank you.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰🥰
What a beautiful story; thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading.
Your poor head and such sorrow.
Yeah, it's why I've never forgotten Jade and Saleh.
I love your writing. This was so touching
Thank you very much, Toni.
Lovely story. Thank you.
That was lovely. Thank you for sharing that. You write beautifully.
Thank you. And thanks for reading.
Thank you for this beautiful story.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 And thanks for reading it.