Shelley Lewis, in her book about breast cancer, which we mentioned in our last blog post, has some good suggestions for ways you can help a friend who has a major problem.
In Five Lessons I didn’t Learn from Breast Cancer (And One Big One I Did), Lewis makes these suggestions.
Don’t ask, “Is there anything I can do to help?” When a friend is feeling overwhelmed, Lewis stresses, that question may be too broad. Instead, make concrete offers that are specific. What can I bring you to eat? When can I walk your dog? When can I take care of your children?
Call or send a card or e-mail message regularly. “It’s amazing how much a quick phone call can do to restore spirits when they begin to flag,” Lewis says.
Listen. “Please,” Lewis says, “think twice before offering any advice that was not requested.”