After Something Hard
When your brother-in-law Ben lost his dad three weeks ago and is back at work, not talking about it.
Before You Start
- An invitation stays one when they can keep walking past it.
- You can offer a door without needing them to walk through it.
- Letting them stay light is its own kind of care.
What You Want To Offer
What I've noticed about them lately:
What I want them to know is there for them:
What I'm hoping this small reach-out does:
What Makes This Hard
- "How are you really?" might be a door they have to walk through
- Naming the loss directly could feel like pressure
- Commenting on how tired they look might feel like being watched
- I don't want to push when they're clearly wanting normalcy
- Something else:
What Matters Most
What's the one thing I most want them to feel, whether they open up or not?
Try An Opening
- “Hey, been thinking about you. How are things?”
- “(Say hi normally. Don't scan them.)”
- “Good to see you — it's been a while.”
When It Gets Difficult
- “No pressure either way.”
- “Here if you ever want to talk.”
- “Cool — me too. Things'll calm down soon.”
- “Glad I caught you.”
StayIn · Conversations move. So can you.