I have read that Mr. Rogers used the advice from his mother to “look for the helpers” when things look scary or tragedy happens.

In my opinion, when you lose a loved one, it is tragic. We often cannot imagine our life without them. Our grief seems to take on a life of its own.

It is in these times, that we need those helpers. Those who extend a “How are you doing?” A memory. Prayers for comfort. Any act of kindness. To try and ease our pain.

I find that in our society, we get wrapped up in “doing our own thing”. We want to be independent. At these times, we don’t need the outreach of others. Or so we think.

I have to admit that I am not good at reaching out when things are ordinary. I am not good at just calling to chat. Mostly, because I don’t do exciting things and dont’ have much to report. That’s not to say, I couldn’t fill that time with words… chatting seems to be something I can do. I have a brother that, if he has not heard from me in a while, he will reach out. Just to see how I’m doing. I appreciate that. I am glad that he is a “helper” when things are not scary or tragic. If he did not take the initiative, we would never connect.

That’s the cool thing about friends and family. Even if we don’t see them for days,months or even years. Their extensions of love and trying to comfort the best that they can are the helpers that we see.

As I have shared in previous posts, my son has lost the love of his life. This is tragic. I cannot find another word to describe it. Within this tragedy, we have lost a daughter. In the midst of this, I have seen helpers in the form of his long-time friend, cousins, his sister, his brother-in-law, aunts, co-workers, former pastor and pastor’s wife and more. Many thoughts, many prayers, who though they may not know what would be helpful at this vast loss, they try to bring comfort to a hurt. They do this out of love.

I deeply appreciate the love that has been shown to me, to my son, to our family. I hope that I may extend the same love to others in their time of need or even in the ordinary.