Grief Support Gone Wrong: When You're Beyond Second Chances

Support Systems / Support Systems : Eleanor Haley



For further articles on these topics:


Nothing puts a person’s support system to the test quite like a crisis. When the clouds of hardship dull the glare of more happy and carefree times, a person often sees their support system accurately for the very first time. For some people, this is a reassuring experience, as they find their support system is similar to what they had assumed it would be. For others, it's a bit, shall we say, disconcerting.

Many grieving people find that changes and disappointments within their support system become a secondary loss. They had assumed a certain type of support would be given, and they feel hurt and angry when it isn't. People can let you down in all sorts of ways during times of hardship. Take, for example, these especially frustrating culprits:

The Grief-Ghoster

In case you aren’t hip like me, I should explain that ghosting is when a person suddenly ceases communication with someone out of nowhere, seemingly without warning or provocation. This term is usually applied to dating scenarios, but it’s a concept that translates to all those friends and family members who told you they'd be there for you and then vanished into thin air.

The Know-It-All

The name says it all here. The know-it-all acts like your loss is their opportunity to shine. They have all the answers, they know exactly how you should feel and exactly what you should do. Some people are know-it-alls in every facet of their lives, others are only know-it-alls when it comes to trauma and loss because they've experienced it themselves. Although a know-it-all can be helpful at times, often they come off as pushy and self-centered.

The No-Show

The no-show is the friend or family member who never showed up in the way you expected them to. These people may be completely absent. They may be physically present, but refuse to acknowledge your loss or your ongoing grief. Or they may shirk their duty to support you as you believe a best friend, parent, sibling, etc. should.

continuum of grief support

Of course, we can't assume these people are all bad. As we've said in past articles, most people lie somewhere in the middle of the amazing/terrible grief support continuum. Good people give bad grief support every day!

The trouble is, grieving people don't always have the bandwidth to think about all the reasons why someone has let them down. I mean, consider the fact that, on good days, we as humans tend to attribute people's actions to good and bad internal traits because it's easier than considering outside situational influences. So giving people the benefit of the doubt or engaging in radical empathy when we're grieving? Forget about it.

Oh, wait, no, I take that back.

We actually don't want you to forget about it. The links between social support, health, and healing—both physical and emotional—are too compelling for us to let you write off all of your family and friends. Instead, we acknowledge that, in some frustrating instances, the burden falls on you as the grieving person to be the bigger, more patient person. Which is why we've written all of the following articles to help you navigate these scenarios:

THAT SAID, the next logical question is, inevitably and understandably: When is enough enough? What if a person isn't worthy of a second chance? What if I don't want that person back in my life? What if I've given the person too many chances? When is a relationship not worth holding onto?

Unfortunately, decisions like these are very personal, so we can't answer these questions for you. Nevertheless, we've put together a few guidelines to help you decide if it's time to start drawing boundaries and/or cutting your losses with certain people in your life.


Guidelines:

These are just a few things to take into consideration. That said, interpersonal relationships are so complicated and nuanced that we couldn't possibly cover everything. At the end of this article, feel free to add to these guidelines in the comments section.

Is the person toxic?

If you get the sense that someone in your life is manipulating you, taking advantage of you, and/or exploiting your grief-related feelings of vulnerability, then they may be a toxic person. For further information, please read this post on spotting emotional manipulation in your support system.

Generally speaking, we recommend distancing yourself from toxic people as soon as you've identified them as such. Second chances and benefit of the doubt do not apply to toxic people, although they'll try and convince you otherwise.

Is the person a threat to your healing?

Some people aren't toxic, but they are draining, demanding, and/or have a bad influence on your healing. A very explicit example is a friend who knows you are trying to give up the negative coping skill of alcohol use, yet who continues to pressure you to go out drinking with them.

Other threats to healing may be more difficult to spot. For example, if you are trying to focus on having a more positive and constructive outlook, but your negative friend always sucks you into commiserating and complaining. Or if you realize that your friend or family member is a chronic taker.

Once you believe that a person is a threat to your healing, you should draw boundaries around how much time and energy you give to them. Many people find that, once they are allowed to grow, recover, and heal, they outgrow these particular relationships. If not, you can reconnect with them later on when you're feeling stronger.

Have you communicated with the person about how they make you feel?

I know this is a difficult thing to do. Trust me, I am well versed in the perils of interpersonal awkwardness. I, like many of you, would rather have a root canal than tell someone they are being a crappy friend, but we all know that stuffed feelings quickly lead to hurt, damaged relationships, and destructive outbursts.

If you believe that someone who has hurt you genuinely means well, then it's worth speaking up about how they made (or how they're making) you feel. If they don't know, they can't apologize or change. If you do communicate with them and they make no effort to fix the problem, then at least you have peace of mind of knowing that you gave them a chance before quitting the relationship.

Need tips on how to communicate your needs? Check out this article about how you can use a dialectical behavior therapy skill—DEAR MAN—to do so.

Are you seeking support that the person is not equipped to give?

Sometimes people disappoint you because they are flakey, selfish, and uncaring. Other times, they disappoint you because they aren't good at giving you what you need. This is why we think it's so important for grieving people to actively acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of the people in their support system. It feels weird to think about your family and friends in such a deliberate way, but a little thought can go along way in ensuring you don't set your loved ones up for failure.

Some people are good listeners, others are good at giving advice, others are good for comic relief... the list goes on. So, for example, if you want someone to listen to you without judgment, then don't turn to your most opinionated friend. Sometimes their candor is exactly what you need, but it's off-putting when all you want is a little acceptance and nurturing. For further discussion of assessing your needs and seeking help from the right person, head here.

How many chances have you given them?

Isn't it funny how we're willing to give some people a hundred chances and others just one?  Pay attention to the number of chances you've given people. If it's one, then maybe give them a second. If it's ninety-nine, then maybe it's time to move on.


What guidelines would you offer your fellow readers? Share in the comments below. And, as always, subscribe

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After writing online articles for What’s Your Grief for over a decade, we finally wrote a tangible, real-life book!

What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss is for people experiencing any type of loss. This book discusses some of the most common grief experiences and breaks down psychological concepts to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. It also shares useful coping tools, and helps the reader reflect on their unique relationship with grief and loss.

You can find What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss wherever you buy books:

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52 Comments on "Grief Support Gone Wrong: When You're Beyond Second Chances"

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  1. mrhastings  July 27, 2023 at 6:20 pm Reply

    When my mom and husband died l reached out to a friend for help. 1) Small favor taking one hour, 2) asking if she would drive an hour to visit me when I was quite lonely. I was told “No”. I never asked for another favor. I forgave her because she offered moral support after their deaths, on the phone. We got along well for five years and then things have been rocky for two years.

    Her mom and brother each have less than six months to live. (Cancer) She has demanded of me that l do weekly yard maintenance for her mom (wealthy but of course not the point, really) and bring her (my friend) regular meals.

    Actually, I like her mom but l feel like some kind of pawn. Weekly maintenance? I am 60 with a bad back and knees. My friend’s other brother is quite rich. Why am l being made feel guilty about not pitching in? There are 4 very healthy grandchildren in their thirties who live in the area.

    I am afraid that if I give in and help l will forever be angry and resentful. Please set me straight if I am being evil.

    • Ronny  July 30, 2023 at 9:12 am Reply

      You don’t have any obligation to do this, you have the right to say no. Also I would suggest that this person is using you, and is not a true friend. You might want to rethink the relationship.

  2. Doodle  November 22, 2022 at 8:33 am Reply

    Thank you for this…I am currently a Junior in high school, and I lost my ferret 2 weeks ago. My baby. Not only that, but I also lost my mother in my freshmen grade of highschool, so I’ve been through this before. Let me just say, it’s depressing how a death of a human will be compared to a death of a pet. My ferret Miss Boon-kaa was no normal animal, I CHOSE to love her, she was mine, it was the first time I ever felt that love for anything or anyone, (so in some ways it hurts more than losing my mother, Boon-kaa was not an old or ill ferret either, it literally just came out of the fucking blue) I have been a ferret lover for a while now and they sure are different from any other animal I’ve seen, I study about ferrets, I am a huge ferret lover, and my Boon-kaa never showed any signs of health issues in the past, she was always so happy and healthy, I knew I was a great ferret mom, her death was so sudden and heart-aching, I’ll never forget those dying eyes looking into mine…anyways, the point that I was trying to get at is that EVERYONE will support a humans death, pets don’t get that same luck, especially if your pet is not a cat or dog. When she was sick we called 5 different vets and everyone refused her because it was after closing hours, even though they claim they have “emergency services.” We pleaded that we thought she was not going to make it and they still refused. Really I’ve only had a few friends (2-3) support me on this through my hard ships. They’re all internet friends too, I understand online friends who don’t really speak to me anymore not saying anything, but what makes me upset to my core is my friend group at school have STILL not said anything. I know they know, I know they’ve been seeing my status’s on discord and everything, they are aware of my pain and NONE of them have said ANYTHING, I expect so much more. I am aware me and some of these friends have had ups and downs in the past, but I at LEAST want a “im sorry for your lost” for my own BABY, so yeah, I’m pretty upset. And yes, I will confront them about this later, right now I’m still in a daze, and will be for a little while longer, I just had to let it all out to be heard. I love you Boon-kaa, I always will.

  3. Jerry D H  August 15, 2022 at 5:55 pm Reply

    my wife died of cancer.We had a great relati osh i p. When I got o ut of line she shaped me up.We were married for 65 years.

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  4. RL  July 14, 2022 at 2:42 pm Reply

    I am struggling. I lost my oldest sister less than 2 months ago. She had a liver transplant on 1 March, I was her caregiver for a first month of her recovery. Several hospital stays, medication changes, etc. landed her in an inpatient recovery hospital to build up her strength. She had a stroke while in this facility. Everything went down hill from there. My other sister and I rushed back to be with her and the family, and also help take care of her in the hospital. Long story short, she passed away 3-weeks after the stroke. As you all know, losing someone you love is just beyond horrible. The crushing pain, the reliving the whole situation in your mind wondering if we did everything right, did the medical staff so everything right, should we have been more direct with her care…the list goes on. I have many friends that I have helped throughout the years with no questions asked. People I would drop anything for (and I have), call or text frequently to check on them…no matter what they’re going through. To say its been crickets is an understatement. I’m just plain angry! Where are you??? It’s an insult. I feel embarrassed…for myself! I’m disgusted. I just want to scream.

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    • Gayle  July 14, 2022 at 10:54 pm Reply

      Sometimes it takes a tragedy to raise the veil to see behaviors and realities that were always there. We choose to overlook bad behaviors of others until it affects us and our expectations of them. They can’t help who they are. Be selective of who you choose to have in your life now as you weed out past the expiration date “friends” & relatives too. What you have gone through only you know (and those that have experienced it) You went all the way. I am proud of you. I was afraid but willing. It was the hardest job I ever did. I am so sorry for your loss. I know how disappointing after such an ordeal it must have been.

      Move on, don’t give those a second thought. They aren’t thinking about you. Quit giving them power. Don’t expect others to react like you want them to. They can’t live up to your expectations. Let their shortcomings go. Those that are there, cherish. Life really bites sometimes. Just keep your head straight.

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  5. Gayle  April 11, 2022 at 7:39 pm Reply

    No one helped or called during husband’s 2 year illness trying to get liver transplant. Numerous hospitalizations, crickets. A fricken Christmas eve 911 emergency admission. I thought we must have been queen bitch & king bastard to have this silent shunning. Then death came weeks later. Ghost grievers surfaced & faded as fast as a light switch turning on & off. A 50 year old friendship turned out to be a bathtub drain that wouldn’t let up. So, spouseless, friendless & no family, I find myself happier & liberated to let go of the past. I’ve joined a guitar group, meeting new people who I actually have an activity in common with that is real, healthy & fun for others too. My husband would be proud of me. He felt this same let down during his struggle. Things are as good as you make them. Good luck everyone finding your new paths.

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  6. Anonymous  May 24, 2021 at 1:15 pm Reply

    We lost our son over a year and a half ago, stillborn at 38 weeks. A year prior to that we had a miscarriage. On the eve of our son’s birthday (death-day) the wife and I had a long talk, really about everything in our relationship. As I feel we have been on cruise control the last 7-8 years and our emotional and physical intimacy has really taken a back seat with raising our other 2 children. We do have a tough time communicating on any real issues and it can turn into a defensive battle; instead of a constructive conversation sometimes. Anyway, come to find out in the midst of that conversation my wife point blankly said that she didn’t need me for any emotional support or in her grief. I was taken aback and honestly hurt by that comment. My wife is a strong women, and when her father passed away about 6 years ago she really didn’t grieve much; at least in front of me. I understand that grieving is a private process( I was like that when I lost my father) and I respect that we all grieve differently, but in marriage we shouldn’t we at least be able to come back to each other once in a while; to lean on each other? Especially in this situation, since no one else really knows what we are going through. I personally don’t have anyone else to count on in terms of support. I have my mother and one other close friend, but they both offer limited help; as much as I appreciate it. I am currently in counseling and that has helped somewhat. I am curious, though if anyone has had any experience with their significant other being so emotionally withdrawn from them given the situation. I understand that bringing things up can be upsetting, but my wife pushes to be happy and has been trying to get life back to “normal” I understand the desire to get things back to “normal” but things have changed so much and that our “normal” is now different. Please any advice to help hurdle this wall. I feel so distant, more than ever, from my wife and I feel like if we can’t weather this storm together, that it may cause a permanent rift in our relationship.

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  7. Michelle  November 30, 2020 at 11:43 am Reply

    When my husbands mother was ill we both did our best to care for her. My sister-in-law lived near her whilst we lived 200 miles away. When she passed away, we organised her funeral as my sister-in-law was busy with other commitments. Shortly after my brother died and my sister-in-law didnt contact me till 3 months later. Eventually she contacted me and said sorry I haven’t supported you as you supported my mother. I forgave her and said don’t worry. Another brother of mine who I cared for died the following year. Once again she failed to contact me for a few months. I cut her out of my life by blocking her and changing my number. She begged me not to do it. She screamed and raged at my husband who also cut her off. He believed she did it deliberately as he had grown up with her. He says she has always been a spoilt person who has to have her own way and wouldnt be able to understand how anyone could possibly reject her.

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  8. Catherine  September 21, 2020 at 9:23 am Reply

    This article resonated with some things I have gone through in the last month after loosing my father. My half sister became hostile toward me starting the day after his death and my stepmother soon after. My initial reaction in my raw grief was to withdraw for my own self care, which was also criticized. And it hasn’t stopped since to the point where it feels like toxic abuse and i’ve had to step away from both of them. So while I see the point about being disappointed in a family member who isn’t showing up the way you would expect, I would add two thoughts. First, people experience grief differently so just because someone doesn’t deal with grief the way you do doesn’t mean they are wrong. We all have the right to grieve the way that works for our own self care and projecting our expectations on others instead of respecting their needs doesn’t help anyone. Second, if someone is withdrawing, compassion is needed, not judgement. Unfortunately in our grief our own judgement can be clouded and this can cause untold damage to family relationships.

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  9. M  January 24, 2020 at 4:10 pm Reply

    I’ve recently come across the thoughts of how many times I will allow people to make me feel inadequate as a person, friend, and relative because I was “too focused on my grief”. My sister stopped all of her communication with me 6 months after my husband died. Just stopped. No explanation. Didn’t even see it coming. I tried calling, texting, emailing .. nothing back. Eventually my mom told me she was upset at me for not being there for her and that I was the one ignoring her. A few more months go by and she messages me back with what her birthday plans were going to be. I was upset. I was upset that she was so selfish to just cut me out when I needed her most and that I needed her to keep my husband’s memories alive with me, then the first thing she says to me after all these months of nothing was “I found flights for you to come to my birthday”. I was expecting a “Hi. Let’s talk.” or “Hi. I was mad but I’m ready to talk.” Something anything to show that I was still considered a human being that needed to be treated with respect.

    Christmas came and to make my mother happy and because I was so drowned out with just grief + holidays, I went along with the game and pretended nothing happened between the two of us. I didn’t join the family for New Year’s but later on my cousins had told me that my sister was telling them that she was upset that I stopped talking to her and didn’t tell her about the new things that was happening in my life. I finally had it. I confronted her and asked her what happened in those first 6 months that she just vanished. She told me that the memories I cherished so much that included her and my husband and I was all because of her. That she was then one who forced her way in to be able to spend time with him and that we always turned her invitations down. That I didn’t make enough room for her to help me and that I kept turning her away. So she just stopped. That being a good sister is a 2 way street and that I’ve never been there for her.

    After reading this… I’ve been having nightmares and waking up at night crying. We’ve always had an interesting sister relationship but everyone else who knows me says that I am the type of person who would drop everything to help someone I love. We didn’t accept all her invitations because my husband had cancer and he had alot of bad days that he didn’t want to spend at parties where people wanted to have fun and drink. He was under alot of medications and sometimes just wanted to be home. We always let her hangout with us at home though. She complained that when she was over, we never did anything fun with her and we just spent our time watching tv or playing games. But in reality it was more of we let you in because we’re comfortable letting you see how we live our lives everyday. The days where he feels like crap. My husband didn’t want others to see his bad days because he didn’t want to be remember as someone sickly. I explained all this. Yet nothing. I am still the evil sister who never made room for her and will never be able to meet her expectations. What makes me upset is that even in the good times of our lives it seems I wasn’t good enough and when I am at the lowest point in my life, I couldn’t even be given a little bit of a break to catch up with my heart and brain with the shock and numbness that my husband who I’ve loved since I was 18 and has been together with for 15 years has died. I understand that I wasn’t mentally present for a good number of months after his death… but I never expected to be held accountable to such an extent. I feel awful, sad and mad all at the same time. I feel trapped that no matter what I do or say… I will always be the bad one and that my existence in her life has always been one she wished wasn’t there.

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  10. Debra Pennel  July 6, 2019 at 8:42 pm Reply

    Lost my husband and and youngest daughter in 2015. My husband first from an embolism and my daughter 9 months later from suicide. We were married for 42 years. My daughter was 36 and had 2 daughters my granddaughters. They lived with us their whole life. I did get some grief counseling by going to a Christian grief share group at my church 2 years ago but am having some problems for the last couple of months with depression and loneliness even though I live with my son and daughter-in-law. I’ve been under the treatment of a psychiatrist for over 18 years for depression and anxiety. I still grieve hard for my husband and daughter they were my life. I was a wife and mother and grandmother who stayed at home and took care of everyone. Now I just try to take care of myself. I have a hard time doing just that. My granddaughters were sent away to live with their dad who was never in their life so you could say I lost them also. Trying to figure out what to do and what is possibly wrong with me. I need to figure out who I am what my identity is because my other identity is gone.

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  11. julie  March 26, 2019 at 1:40 pm Reply

    I too have had to cut ties with family and “friends” due to lack of support during moms sickness and death. 7 months ago my mom had a seizure and was wheelchair bound and unable to use her hands or walk. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a couple months to live and then died. During the 4 months of hersickness and 3moths after her death I received very little support, caring or concern . My brother & wife and my husband came to the funeral and we cooked and hosted them since they drove 4hrs. Not one of my inlaws came even though they lived locally. . I called my sister n law when my mom passed and she didn’t return my call until 2 weeks later and it was to ask me if I would be a free babysitter for her children which was common practice. Even when mom was sick my sister in law would drop the newphews off at our house for me to watch over weekend. Not once did anyone say, “what can I do for you” during this difficult time. My sistner in law treated me like a free babysitter for 5yrs and when I stood up for myself by not wanting to use my only weekend off to babysit ( I work full time) my sister n law got mad. I told her she needed an invitation to come over instead of just dropping her children off for the weekend. She insisted she didnt need an invitation b/c she is family. When I informed her she needed an invitation she stated my husband and I was to have no more correspondence with her or my nephews and that we weren’t treating them like “family.” My husbands mom sent me a text “thinking about you” when my mom died. When my husbands dad died last year I took off time and loss of money off from work and drove 12hrs round trip to the funeral but my mother in law definitely didn’t return the support to me when I lost my parent. I called one of my high school friends just to talk multiple times after moms passing with no return phone call.
    in addition, shortly before mom died she received a call that my stepdad cheated on her with another woman but mom insisted on my stepdad being her primary caregiver b/c she wanted to stay in the comfort of her own home. My stepdad was bankrupt when he married my mom 12yrs ago and he financially used her. He bought all kinds of stuff with her money and allowed his sons to steal her jewelry and my belongings so they could take to the pawn shop for money. He talked her into stopping paying for my college and buying a sports car instead. When I stated that my stepbrother needed to pay us back for the stuff they stole I was told they were too poor to pay back anything stolen. I thought “you should get a job” quit doing drugs and quit living off welfare then. My stepbrother wasn’t too poor to buy cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and guns and hes had 11yrs to pay back for my stolen belongings. My stepddad used my moms money for his and his sons financial gain. I never asked to borrow money from my parents ever. I paid my way and lived responsibly. My stepbrothers constantly borrowed and never returned money from them, My mom asked many times for them to pay back borrowed money but they said they couldn’t. She ended up leaving her entire inheritance to my stepdad and she told me she wanted to make sure he could support himself after his death (since he had such poor spending habits). My mom tried to give me some of my grandmother’s antique picture frames when she got sick and my stepdad insisted that the belongings stay in the house and that I could get them when he is dead ( basically I would never get them) After mom died my stepdad blasted his new girlfriends pic on facbebook less than 1month from my moms funeral. He tried calling me after he blasted new girlfriends pic on social media to talk with me about his new girlfriend and explain and I wouldn’t answer the phone b/c I didn’t want to talk with him as upset as I was and didn’t want to say anything I would regret. He then sent me an email that I shouldn’t expect him to be sad and he doesn’t like being alone and I should stop expecting things of him to make myself feel better. (Basically telling me to get over the fact that less than one month of mom’s death that it was ok that he was dating a lady that had been in their sunday school class for years) I went to that church for years and not one church member reached out to me. All the church members endorsed this relationship from their sunday school. I thought “does no one have any decency.” Im fine with people moving on and being happy but there is a tactful way of doing it people. He then got remarried 7months after moms passing after going on many lavish vacations, buying motorcylcle, and sports car parts for his cars and other extravagances with my moms social security money, pension money, bank account money, brand new truck and house. It was like he posted all of his purchased on facebook just to throw it in peoples face “look how good my life is now” that the entire inheritance was left to him. My mom “punished” me for working hard and living frugally and said she was never worried about me being able to support myself . That is rewarding bad behavior and enabling people that spend every dime they receive. I don’t think its fair that I am to be punished for being responsible. My stepbrother that stole from me now purchased a home now that my stepdad gave him money for a downpayment from moms inheritance money. Nice to know that the lairs and cheats and thieves profited financially from my mothers death. My stepdad has never offered me one thing of my moms since her passing. He removed all the pictures of me in the house and picture of my aunt, uncle, and husband and posted the fact that he removed our pictures during thanksgiving time. I never said one cross thing to my stepfather and dont deserve to be treated like this and “removed” from the walls. My husband’s stress level has elevated due to the stress of all of this. I was crying in my bedroom missing my mom a month after her death and he walked in my bedroom and said “when are you going to get over all this BS” I was devastated. I get that he was tired of me being upset and that he probably knew I expected him to come console me and he was tired after a long day of work but I was tired too and still trying to cope. Shortly after moms death I went to my newphews bday party and gave him some dvd’s for his bday. My sisternlaw called me and my husband a week before christmas and at my birthday time accusing our bdaygift to our 12 yr old newphew of begin too cheap and told us we could be cheap and rot. I mean who tells their sister n law to rot the first Christmas and birthday dealing with my moms death? She was just mad that we didn’t give her son some money for his bday probably so she could take the money for herself since her son told us a couple months prior that she wasn’t giving him his bday money. Anyways, I could go on about some other things but I know this is too long already. I have lost faith in humanity at this point.

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    • Heather  September 10, 2019 at 9:35 am Reply

      Please always keep this perspective, it has helped me realize God is indeed just. You and your mother will be together again for eternity in perfect bliss worshiping God as we were made to do. I am also a mathematician and will use a math property (calculus – limits at each end of infinity) to explain this next part, just bare with me. When teaching my students about infinity on the 1st day of calculus I truly make them visualize that very Non visual concept. If infinity truly does go on forever then it must be a line going to the right all the time and going to the left all the time. Life on this Earth is fleeting and is definitely finite which means it has a beginning and an end. No matter where you draw your lifespan on that eternity line which goes on forever, the farther and farther you step back from that line the smaller and smaller your earthly lifespan drawing gets. Remember you are not trapped by walls you have an infinite amount of space to keep backing up because eternity never ends- you can always keep zooming out. Ultimately you will realize that on that line of infinity you can’t even see a single speck of your lifespan left – it is almost as if it did not exist in comparison to the amount of time you will get to spend in a much better life. I know it’s very hard to think about this while you are currently in the dredges of your earthly lifespan but if you keep your perspective eternal you realize you can endure whatever is thrown at you here.

      Side note – since I truly have a grasp of how large eternity is and my worldly brain has grasped the never ending concept, I am a little bit scared of eternity. I can do nothing about it though. It also leads me to the question of where was I before my lifespan started? My youngest daughter told me when she was about 2 years old that she came out of my belly from heaven – that is where she had been before “her.” I choose to believe her.

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  12. Mary J  November 29, 2018 at 7:19 am Reply

    I wish I had read this article months ago instead of having to figure this out on my own. My relationships with my siblings are toxic, and I realized that I was the one enabling them to continue the toxicity. I’ve changed a lot in the past two years following my daughter’s death – she was 21 and died in her sleep here at the house. Our mother 94 died a year later – which was last year. But I can’t really criticize them for their non-support and some of the bad behavior. I didn’t know until it happened to me how different it is to lose a child. Before anyone decides to start an argument here, let me clarify – grief is not a contest. Your grief is just as devastating to you as mine is to me. I acknowledge that.
    I started to describe some of the horror of the past two years, but I think I can summarize it like Ann Landers, advice columnist from years ago. Are you better off with them or without them? Once you make that decision, it becomes easier.
    Like completely ignoring me the entire first year and forcing me to take on responsibilities with our mother that they should have handled. Then again, maybe the additional responsibilities helped me fight my way through the fog faster? They went out to lunch together with a cousin on my daughter’s first death date. I was invited. I declined. They never mentioned the date – I don’t really think any of them remember. This year they all remembered miraculously that I do have a birthday – 10 days after my daughter’s second death date. They don’t understand that my birthday means nothing to me now. My new life began the day I held my daughter’s lifeless body. So many things. I hope others have better outcomes than I – but at least now I know who to keep.

    9
  13. jen  July 16, 2018 at 5:33 pm Reply

    I am heartbroken that so many of you have gone through the same thing, and very sorry for each of your losses. I’ve been scouring the internet for “how to control anger while grieving” and found this site.. I wish I could say I’m glad I’m not alone in this, but I hate it for all of us. My little sister (best friend & only sibling) died in March. She had been fighting a recurring infection, but none of us suspected it was life-threatening until 2 days before she passed. She was 37. I’ve tried to be strong for my parents as much as possible, because I can’t even imagine their pain, and I’ve tried not to lean on my husband too much as we just lost his mom last summer. This leaves me with a lot of guilt, anger, devastation, etc. that I should be able to share with friends, but they seem to have disappeared since all this happened. Didn’t hear from one person at all. Two sent the obligatory “anything I can do” texts the following day but I haven’t heard from them in the 4 months since. One made a HUGE deal about opening up her friend’s bay house so my extended family could have a nice place to relax & she’d cook us a nice meal, blah blah blah.. she didn’t even come to the funeral. Or call to say she had a change of plans. As a matter of fact, none of my “friends” came to the funeral except one girl (bless her) I barely knew at work! It makes me want to cut ties with all of them. It just makes me sad because I’ve been friends with these people for 20+ years and any new friends I make won’t have known my sister. I don’t want to be the one to have to reach out and say “why haven’t you called me?” because then I look as desperate as I feel and if I have to remind you to be a decent person, is it safe to say you probably aren’t? And do I need you in my life? Argh. Thanks for the venting space & sorry to be a Negative Nelly.

    10
    • Melody  January 4, 2020 at 12:13 pm Reply

      Your words ” I don’t want to be the one to have to reach out and say “why haven’t you called me?” because then I look as desperate as I feel and if I have to remind you to be a decent person, is it safe to say you probably aren’t? And do I need you in my life? Argh.” are exactly how I feel about my brother. We went through mom’s illness and death together without any help from our sister. And now, just like that. He is “ghosting” me (having just learned that is the term). Zero contact through the holidays – and I texted and tried to get us together. She has only been gone 6 months so this was the first holidays without her and I really needed him.

      I will never understand why.

      3
  14. Kristine Bauers  April 25, 2018 at 9:05 am Reply

    THIS is such a big problem, people “mean-well” but just do not know how to be there in the right ways. I’ve experienced this personally and professionally, I wish more people were informed with, ” what to do and what NOT to do.” Reading through these responses breaks my heart, I have found one resource that I have really appreciated and encourage EVERYONE to read. I recommend this resource, When Their World Stops by Anne-Marie Lockmyer. I hope this is helpful for some of you, I found it here, wwwgriefandtraumahealing.com Grief and loss happen throughout our lives at some point. Knowing how to be there for someone is such an invaluable tool.

    3
    • April C  November 27, 2023 at 11:30 pm Reply

      I often ask myself this question, or better yet, try to make excuses for the people that have deserted me since my son passed… Do they really just not know or are these people selfish and need to be the center of attention and your loss takes that away from them. Even through my loss and extreme grief I still think of others more than I do myself, try to make them feel special over and over but no one ever does the same for me!

  15. Kristine Bauers  April 25, 2018 at 9:05 am Reply

    THIS is such a big problem, people “mean-well” but just do not know how to be there in the right ways. I’ve experienced this personally and professionally, I wish more people were informed with, ” what to do and what NOT to do.” Reading through these responses breaks my heart, I have found one resource that I have really appreciated and encourage EVERYONE to read. I recommend this resource, When Their World Stops by Anne-Marie Lockmyer. I hope this is helpful for some of you, I found it here, wwwgriefandtraumahealing.com Grief and loss happen throughout our lives at some point. Knowing how to be there for someone is such an invaluable tool.

    1
  16. Jennifer  March 30, 2018 at 3:40 pm Reply

    My guy of 15 years passed away… I had to fly his remains down to Florida to his 87 years old grieving mother and six siblings… Alone!

    No one in my family even thought of coming with me. I get travel can be hard for some, but they have the means and the lattitude.

    So there I was on the morning of the funeral in a crummy hotel room trying to keep it together wondering where my brothers were and trying to figure out a scenario where one of their wives dies and I’m not right by their side.

    I guess I was looking for a white night gesture… I can only wonder if that Christmas party they went to was really more important than me.

    Family stinks… And now they wonder why I am distant… Go figure!

    They just don’t get it…I don’t need help going through his underwear drawer 3 months later…. I just needed one person to show me that I was important that horrible day and now I am mourning the loss of my family along with my guy.

    Good grief Charlie Brown!

    6
  17. Jennifer  March 30, 2018 at 3:40 pm Reply

    My guy of 15 years passed away… I had to fly his remains down to Florida to his 87 years old grieving mother and six siblings… Alone!

    No one in my family even thought of coming with me. I get travel can be hard for some, but they have the means and the lattitude.

    So there I was on the morning of the funeral in a crummy hotel room trying to keep it together wondering where my brothers were and trying to figure out a scenario where one of their wives dies and I’m not right by their side.

    I guess I was looking for a white night gesture… I can only wonder if that Christmas party they went to was really more important than me.

    Family stinks… And now they wonder why I am distant… Go figure!

    They just don’t get it…I don’t need help going through his underwear drawer 3 months later…. I just needed one person to show me that I was important that horrible day and now I am mourning the loss of my family along with my guy.

    Good grief Charlie Brown!

    1
  18. Kathy  February 28, 2018 at 12:07 pm Reply

    Three days after my precious husband of 25 years died, one sister called to share that an old boyfriend (my first love of 40 years prior) had also passed away and she wanted me to know so I could grieve them together… Seriously!??????? A week or so later, my other sister called. I was having a bad day and I was crying, cussing and screaming. She remarked “I was calling to see how you were doing, but it doesn’t sound like you are do so good, so I will let you go.” That is the kind of support I got! So, I decided it was much healthier for me to not have either sister in my life. Painful, but necessary. There was also much more that involved sister one that opened my eyes to her manipulative, narcissist behavior that helped me to make the decision that I am much better off without her in my life. Seeing other posts have helped me realize I am not in this alone.

    5
  19. Kathy  February 28, 2018 at 12:07 pm Reply

    Three days after my precious husband of 25 years died, one sister called to share that an old boyfriend (my first love of 40 years prior) had also passed away and she wanted me to know so I could grieve them together… Seriously!??????? A week or so later, my other sister called. I was having a bad day and I was crying, cussing and screaming. She remarked “I was calling to see how you were doing, but it doesn’t sound like you are do so good, so I will let you go.” That is the kind of support I got! So, I decided it was much healthier for me to not have either sister in my life. Painful, but necessary. There was also much more that involved sister one that opened my eyes to her manipulative, narcissist behavior that helped me to make the decision that I am much better off without her in my life. Seeing other posts have helped me realize I am not in this alone.

    1
  20. Clarissa  February 15, 2018 at 2:34 am Reply

    I am at a loss on how to deal with people in terms of my loss. I gave birth on Thanksgiving to my daughter who was stillborn. Her father has taken off, he simply had a major breakdown and could not take my grief. I have heard a word from him in 3 weeks. My friends, I dont know. Some ask me “How I am doing?” but that is it. No one has come to the house. No one calls. I find myself not talking to anyone because I feel like people are shying away from me because Im making them uncomfortable. It is so extremely lonely. I feel like I not only lost my daughter, but my best friend (her father) and my friends too. Then sometimes I get downright angry with people. They go on an on about their mundane problems..(the slow cashier at the store..etc) and I listen to them gripe but the second I tell them I am upset or having a bad day, they have to go. It is so frustrating.

    7
  21. Clarissa  February 15, 2018 at 2:34 am Reply

    I am at a loss on how to deal with people in terms of my loss. I gave birth on Thanksgiving to my daughter who was stillborn. Her father has taken off, he simply had a major breakdown and could not take my grief. I have heard a word from him in 3 weeks. My friends, I dont know. Some ask me “How I am doing?” but that is it. No one has come to the house. No one calls. I find myself not talking to anyone because I feel like people are shying away from me because Im making them uncomfortable. It is so extremely lonely. I feel like I not only lost my daughter, but my best friend (her father) and my friends too. Then sometimes I get downright angry with people. They go on an on about their mundane problems..(the slow cashier at the store..etc) and I listen to them gripe but the second I tell them I am upset or having a bad day, they have to go. It is so frustrating.

    1
    • Deborah  February 22, 2018 at 7:16 pm Reply

      Hi Clarissa,
      I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your baby girl, and of your husband. It sounds like your life has been shattered. I, too, have had this experience in my own way. I have found that turning to the merciful love of Jesus has healed my heart, body, mind, and soul and the pieces have been put back together. It has taken many years…but the love and peace I feel today are priceless. I will keep you in my prayers.

      2
  22. Joyoflife  February 5, 2018 at 3:15 pm Reply

    Difficult sister will never change. Four months after my 80 year old father passed away from a major stroke, my mum is breaking my heart and turning against me as she is falling back in with my sister who disappeared for several years after creating much havoc for the entire family. She took my parents for lots of money more than enough to buy a house but has nothing to show for it. My sister actually married my ex son-in-law.. what a nightmare. He spent two months in jail for domestic violence against her and got right back together. She has a history of this with previous six husbands. I told my mum to be careful with her after hearing of them staying out all night at a casino. I mean please don’t keep mum out until 5 a.m. gambling. It was all down hill from there. She said, oh my God and walked out of the room. Then yelled that everybody was alienating my sister and does she have to pay for the rest of her life for her mistakes. Sister has history with all four of her children that now won’t speak to her. I tried to explain that I cannot let her back in my life and even had to get a court ordered restraining order against her for verbal harassment. Trying to move on and have a relationship with mum but am afraid that this is the beginning of the end. My sister’s son (whom won’t speak to her) is coming and hopes to explain to mum why we all can’t go through more of her narcissistic behavior. Feeling so lost to think of how hard I have worked for a good life and family to only be put in the same boat as a self centered irresponsible immature baby sister of 51 years old. At one time she even said that she didn’t think our dad was her father. How hurtful for him to be told that. I miss him so much and grieve for him and grief for my mum losing him after 60 years of marriage. Now going through a nightmare of her hurtful behavior toward me. Is it time to let go, I think it may be the only option.

    1
  23. Joyoflife  February 5, 2018 at 3:15 pm Reply

    Difficult sister will never change. Four months after my 80 year old father passed away from a major stroke, my mum is breaking my heart and turning against me as she is falling back in with my sister who disappeared for several years after creating much havoc for the entire family. She took my parents for lots of money more than enough to buy a house but has nothing to show for it. My sister actually married my ex son-in-law.. what a nightmare. He spent two months in jail for domestic violence against her and got right back together. She has a history of this with previous six husbands. I told my mum to be careful with her after hearing of them staying out all night at a casino. I mean please don’t keep mum out until 5 a.m. gambling. It was all down hill from there. She said, oh my God and walked out of the room. Then yelled that everybody was alienating my sister and does she have to pay for the rest of her life for her mistakes. Sister has history with all four of her children that now won’t speak to her. I tried to explain that I cannot let her back in my life and even had to get a court ordered restraining order against her for verbal harassment. Trying to move on and have a relationship with mum but am afraid that this is the beginning of the end. My sister’s son (whom won’t speak to her) is coming and hopes to explain to mum why we all can’t go through more of her narcissistic behavior. Feeling so lost to think of how hard I have worked for a good life and family to only be put in the same boat as a self centered irresponsible immature baby sister of 51 years old. At one time she even said that she didn’t think our dad was her father. How hurtful for him to be told that. I miss him so much and grieve for him and grief for my mum losing him after 60 years of marriage. Now going through a nightmare of her hurtful behavior toward me. Is it time to let go, I think it may be the only option.

  24. Steve Peterson  January 30, 2018 at 3:02 pm Reply

    I went to a high school class reunion a few months after my wife died (she didn’t go to school there). The school was 1,300 miles from where I live, and I guess through my wife’s Facebook account the word had spread of her passing. So I was there just meeting and greeting people I haven’t seen in 30 years. I never mentioned my wife, I was just enjoying on hearing about what others were doing. I guess the word spread through the crowd about my wife’s passing. One person walked up to me and said, “I am so sorry to hear about your wife’s passing.” And then that person walked away. Another wanted to know if my wife had kept her good sense of humor about things. A couple of others sought me out and gave me a hug, and I don’t remember their comments. These gestures were quick, but very meaningful for me. They could have chosen to do nothing, but they made an effort to be part of an awkward situation. I didn’t care if they said the right thing or not. I was just touched that they sought me out and acknowledged my loss. I have no ill will towards those that were too uncomfortable to do anything. I get it. I think the lesson is that to always do something, just say one sentence, when you hear of someone’s difficult challenge.

    1
  25. Steve Peterson  January 30, 2018 at 3:02 pm Reply

    I went to a high school class reunion a few months after my wife died (she didn’t go to school there). The school was 1,300 miles from where I live, and I guess through my wife’s Facebook account the word had spread of her passing. So I was there just meeting and greeting people I haven’t seen in 30 years. I never mentioned my wife, I was just enjoying on hearing about what others were doing. I guess the word spread through the crowd about my wife’s passing. One person walked up to me and said, “I am so sorry to hear about your wife’s passing.” And then that person walked away. Another wanted to know if my wife had kept her good sense of humor about things. A couple of others sought me out and gave me a hug, and I don’t remember their comments. These gestures were quick, but very meaningful for me. They could have chosen to do nothing, but they made an effort to be part of an awkward situation. I didn’t care if they said the right thing or not. I was just touched that they sought me out and acknowledged my loss. I have no ill will towards those that were too uncomfortable to do anything. I get it. I think the lesson is that to always do something, just say one sentence, when you hear of someone’s difficult challenge.

    2
  26. Cassandra Henderson  January 20, 2018 at 9:17 pm Reply

    For me, I am tired of making excuses for others inability to deal with grief. I am a 63 year old woman~ at this point in life most everyone I know has had to deal with grief-be it death of a grandparent, parent, an aunt , an uncle , a friend , a “younger person”, a child or even a baby, including myself. Grief is not contagious, it is not a communicable disease. No one is immune from the experience of grief. Eventually, ALL of us will experience grief. Ignoring it does not mean it will not happen. Yet, my grief still makes many of the people I know uncomfortable. If a few minutes of my grief makes them uncomfortable, have they even stopped to consider how my grief makes me feel everyday? I don’t give second chances anymore. Their reaction gives me insight into what type of person they really are. Sometimes that insight can be very disappointing, especially when it is a friend of many years. Why should it be my responsibility to give them a second chance or to try or make them more comfortable with my grief or to tell them what I need? I have experienced many types of grief~ at 22 I delivered a stillborn daughter, at 29 my father was killed in a plane crash and his body was never found, at 40 my mother died after just a 10 week battle with cancer. I have attended funerals for three teenagers. A friend of 50 years died of ALS. Most recently, my daughter and son-in-law were expecting quadruplets, only for there to be complications and all four babies had to be delivered at 5 months and only lived 15 minutes. There is a saying “When someone shows you who they truly are, believe them”. If someone I know can’t be present with my grief, then I no longer need to be present with them.

    10
  27. Cassandra Henderson  January 20, 2018 at 9:17 pm Reply

    For me, I am tired of making excuses for others inability to deal with grief. I am a 63 year old woman~ at this point in life most everyone I know has had to deal with grief-be it death of a grandparent, parent, an aunt , an uncle , a friend , a “younger person”, a child or even a baby, including myself. Grief is not contagious, it is not a communicable disease. No one is immune from the experience of grief. Eventually, ALL of us will experience grief. Ignoring it does not mean it will not happen. Yet, my grief still makes many of the people I know uncomfortable. If a few minutes of my grief makes them uncomfortable, have they even stopped to consider how my grief makes me feel everyday? I don’t give second chances anymore. Their reaction gives me insight into what type of person they really are. Sometimes that insight can be very disappointing, especially when it is a friend of many years. Why should it be my responsibility to give them a second chance or to try or make them more comfortable with my grief or to tell them what I need? I have experienced many types of grief~ at 22 I delivered a stillborn daughter, at 29 my father was killed in a plane crash and his body was never found, at 40 my mother died after just a 10 week battle with cancer. I have attended funerals for three teenagers. A friend of 50 years died of ALS. Most recently, my daughter and son-in-law were expecting quadruplets, only for there to be complications and all four babies had to be delivered at 5 months and only lived 15 minutes. There is a saying “When someone shows you who they truly are, believe them”. If someone I know can’t be present with my grief, then I no longer need to be present with them.

    1
    • Clarissa  February 15, 2018 at 4:00 pm Reply

      Cassandra,
      I completely understand this. I too have had to deal with so much death in my life. My mom died on my 16th birthday, my best friend commited suicide a few years ago..even my job, its an every night thing. I feel like I have put so much effort into trying to be a good friend to people in their times of need. I listen. I stay up all night with them. I try to help them come up with ways to cope..etc. Yet since my daughter was born stillborn a few months ago I feel like noone has put in an effort at all. I made her funeral arrangements alone. Planned her memorial alone..all of it. It almost makes me feel like Im a murderer. Do people blame me that she died? Do they think im guilty of something? Im sure this is just a stage that I am going through,but I cant help but feel completely abandoned. I truly feel for you and am sending a hug.

      6
    • Kathy  February 28, 2018 at 11:51 am Reply

      Cassandra, you said it. My sisters have have not been present since the death of my precious husband, so I have chosen to not be present for them. There is no going back. We are estranged only to communicate in regards to my elderly mother.

      3
  28. Kathleen  January 18, 2018 at 11:29 pm Reply

    I agree with the comments,however I know from experience people just do not understand real grief from loss. My own family have problems adjusting to my daughter’s death. We sometimes cannot support each other, unless you experience a loss no one really understands the pain you feel or your reaction to it.
    Everyone gets on with their life, they may have a bad day, they may think we should move on, but it’s their experience not ours. It’s our loss not theirs.
    I don’t think it makes them a bad person because they can’t support us I think we have to deal with what we’re feeling. Unless that person absolutely gives you toxic energy and bad vibes I would keep them in my life they’re just not a good support.

    1
  29. Kathleen  January 18, 2018 at 11:29 pm Reply

    I agree with the comments,however I know from experience people just do not understand real grief from loss. My own family have problems adjusting to my daughter’s death. We sometimes cannot support each other, unless you experience a loss no one really understands the pain you feel or your reaction to it.
    Everyone gets on with their life, they may have a bad day, they may think we should move on, but it’s their experience not ours. It’s our loss not theirs.
    I don’t think it makes them a bad person because they can’t support us I think we have to deal with what we’re feeling. Unless that person absolutely gives you toxic energy and bad vibes I would keep them in my life they’re just not a good support.

  30. Kathleen  January 18, 2018 at 11:20 pm Reply

    Butt

  31. Kathleen  January 18, 2018 at 11:20 pm Reply

    Butt

  32. Gina  January 18, 2018 at 1:24 pm Reply

    Lost a treasured friendship after my son died 4 years ago. Gave the person many chances but got tired of hearing how I should “move on” that I should be over the loss after a set time. Which one of your 4 children could you “move on” without, knowing they are never walking through the door again?

    2
  33. Gina  January 18, 2018 at 1:24 pm Reply

    Lost a treasured friendship after my son died 4 years ago. Gave the person many chances but got tired of hearing how I should “move on” that I should be over the loss after a set time. Which one of your 4 children could you “move on” without, knowing they are never walking through the door again?

  34. RobinA  January 18, 2018 at 8:03 am Reply

    I think some mention as to be made of (not so) simple differences in how people as individuals, members of a particular family and receivers of different cultural mores may handle things. I come from a family of German ancestry in which certain ways have been passed down through the years. My SO for many years was Italian. Needless to say, what we needed and expected in the way of support were vastly different and actually quite opposite. What we each did instinctually when offering support was not at all what the other person expected, wanted or needed, or, frankly at times, could tolerate. While people offering support need to keep in mind that they need to support in the way the person needs support, some understanding may be in order that the person, try as he or she might, may not know how to be what the person needs them to be in a given moment. Communication is key, of course, but, as mentioned, can be difficult under trying circumstances and when two people speak different social languages.

    1
  35. RobinA  January 18, 2018 at 8:03 am Reply

    I think some mention as to be made of (not so) simple differences in how people as individuals, members of a particular family and receivers of different cultural mores may handle things. I come from a family of German ancestry in which certain ways have been passed down through the years. My SO for many years was Italian. Needless to say, what we needed and expected in the way of support were vastly different and actually quite opposite. What we each did instinctually when offering support was not at all what the other person expected, wanted or needed, or, frankly at times, could tolerate. While people offering support need to keep in mind that they need to support in the way the person needs support, some understanding may be in order that the person, try as he or she might, may not know how to be what the person needs them to be in a given moment. Communication is key, of course, but, as mentioned, can be difficult under trying circumstances and when two people speak different social languages.

    1
  36. Susanna  January 18, 2018 at 5:45 am Reply

    Since forever, I had the way of asking once, reminding next and if I had to repeat myself a third time, that other person is already half way out the door. During grief I instinctively did the same. I said in clear words that whatever was said was hurtful and please don’t do it again. The next time (same person) I “shouted” a little louder. If this same person did the same thing for a third time, I cut them out of my life. I still cannot deal with people who cannot hear or understand. Life is too short to keep on repeating oneself!

    2
  37. Susanna  January 18, 2018 at 5:45 am Reply

    Since forever, I had the way of asking once, reminding next and if I had to repeat myself a third time, that other person is already half way out the door. During grief I instinctively did the same. I said in clear words that whatever was said was hurtful and please don’t do it again. The next time (same person) I “shouted” a little louder. If this same person did the same thing for a third time, I cut them out of my life. I still cannot deal with people who cannot hear or understand. Life is too short to keep on repeating oneself!

  38. Amy  January 17, 2018 at 7:21 pm Reply

    Guess I’m not very forgiving but have cut all ties with my “ghosts”. Makes me sad but they disappeared when I needed them most so why give them a second chance? Two f them have tried to get back in touch with me but now I am ghosting them.

    1
  39. Amy  January 17, 2018 at 7:21 pm Reply

    Guess I’m not very forgiving but have cut all ties with my “ghosts”. Makes me sad but they disappeared when I needed them most so why give them a second chance? Two f them have tried to get back in touch with me but now I am ghosting them.

    2
    • Lisa  February 4, 2018 at 3:09 pm Reply

      Amy – I totally get it. I can be a very tolerant person especially for those I love but everyone has their limits. But what do you do if the two people in this world who are supposed to support you most, your parents, ghost you when you experience an indescribable tragedy? My best friend of 25 years died on February 5, 2017 – tomorrow will be one year. We were supposed to watch the superbowl together. I called and texted without hearing from him. I went to his house, I had a key. I found him dead. It was like a nightmare. My parents were so…cavalier about it. I mean, he came to their wedding anniversary, holidays when he couldn’t go to see his own family. They knew him. He was my best friend. The day after he died, they drove me to his house so I could take care of his pets. When they dropped me off at home they waved goodbye and said, “Let us know if ya need anything!” Then didn’t contact me for 6 weeks. They used the excuse that they told me to let them know if I needed anything, and of course, I hadn’t reached out to them. What is worse, is my dad is a minister and spends time with people in hospitals, families in crises, etc counseling them, talking to them, comforting them. With me, I suffered the worst tragedy in my life and they completely and totally ignored me. How do you get over something like that? It made this impossibly HUGE tragedy even more painful. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that. Yesterday my mom sent me a text that said, “I’ve been thinking about Scott (my friend who died) and wondering, how can we honor him since tomorrow is the date of his death?” I almost fell on the floor. How dare she? How dare she even say his name? I thought. I’m sorry to be dumping this on you, a perfect stranger but your post really stirred something inside me too.

      3

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