Ask Amy: Recognition days are tough for grieving parents
“And then – even if they don’t know how to respond, they can say, ‘I don’t have the words, but I want you to know that I’m thinking about you, and that I care.’
“Here’s what NOT to do: Don’t say, ‘At least…. (you can have more kids; or — you had him in your life for a while…’). Any sentence starting with ‘At least’ tends to diminish the reality of the experience for parents who have lost children.
“Use the child’s name and let the parent know something you remember or loved about her child,” O’Loughlin adds. “Our children's existence impacted this world. They had identities and relationships, leaving a legacy from their lives. Using their name signifies to parents that they will never be forgotten, and is often one of the best gifts you can give them.”
Dear Amy: I work in a large building that rents individual office spaces to various individuals and small companies.
While each office is its own space and has a door, the walls are paper-thin.
This week someone moved into an office next to mine, and she talks on speaker with the other party she is speaking to.
I can hear everything, and it is apparent that she is either a psychiatrist or a therapist.
I'm hearing sensitive information, the name of the city the person resides in, etc., and am privy to discussions about depression and medication.
If I was this woman's patient, I would not be happy.
Should I say something?
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