Based on her personal experience after the passing of her daughter, Vanessa has created lists of helpful advice for people who are grieving as well as people who are supporting someone grieving.
Below are a few selected Love Thoughts. Find the full list of Love Thoughts in the back of Evan and the Skygoats.
Love Thoughts for Someone Grieving
Be gentle with yourself.
Find healing places in nature and spend time in them often—like leaning into a tree or taking in the stars of a night sky.
Accept that the only constant in the world is change.
Love Thoughts for Those Supporting Someone Grieving
Sit with someone grieving quietly and consistently. Allow them to be comforted by your presence without your own demands or agendas.
Understand that small children grieve differently than older children and adults do. A small child will often worry about the present situation and may not grasp that death is final. A slightly older child may worry about his or her own health, whereas a teenager may have thoughts of guilt and self-blame.
Check in to understand how you or someone else can help alleviate this stress.
If a young person has passed away, focus on the meaning rather than the length of life.