The gift of accompaniment in the aftermath of losing a child
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by Jeannie Ewing
In the aftermath of significant and devastating loss, what matters most to those who are grieving is the gift of one’s time to listen, to care, and to just be present. It’s not so much that something specific must be said or done to assuage the pain; rather, it’s the gift of accompaniment.
Tessa Sordelet always had a very special relationship with her sister, who gave birth to a son two days before Tessa learned that her son Leo had died while in the womb. “She always asked me, ‘What are you thinking about Leo? How are you dealing with your grief? How are you feeling about life today?’” These questions helped Tessa feel less isolated; she was relieved to know that someone acknowledged that her son mattered. It also helped her process her emotional and spiritual pain.