2-1-Q Newsletter: Fresh Ideas every Wednesday

Each Wednesday, we are going to look at 2 short ideas from me, 1 quote from others, and a question to consider. 

Sent by Jarrod Hood, March 27th, 2024

2 IDEAS FROM ME: 

Pretend you are driving back home from a family vacation. And then boom. In a split second, tragedy strikes. A car veers into the median, hitting your car head on. There is nothing you can do in that split second. There is a car crash. Your kids and your dog are in the back seat. The ultimate loss happens- you lose the love and joy of your family, your precious daughter. All in a split second. The rest of your family is injured and fighting for their lives. Empathize for a minute that this is you in this situation. You are the parent, and this is your new reality. What would you do? How do you cope?  This happened over Spring Break week to a family driving back home to Dallas, TX approximately a few weeks ago. The Mullens family are in this boat right now as I type. So I wanted to devote this week’s newsletter to this extraordinary family going through extraordinary circumstances right now.   

A few brief ideas on how to help a friend/loved one in grieving times: 

1. Avoid cliches, but acknowledge the situation- when someone is deeply grieving, avoid making statements that try and fix their problem “Time heals all wounds” “God now has an angel in heaven” etc. These statements, while sometimes well meaning, fall short and can feel very invalidating to those who are deeply grieving 
2. Show authenticity- be real, show vulnerability, feel the raw emotions with your friend/loved one. Sit with them in their numbness, pain, loss. This can feel challenging, but can be healing for the person over time. 
3. Pray for the those who are suffering, show thoughtfulness to those who are in unspeakable tragedy
4. Give if you can to help friends/family/loved ones. Sometimes giving is bringing a meal six months to a year after the tragedy has happened. Sometimes giving is sitting with your friend over coffee and hearing how they are REALLY doing.  

 1 QUOTE FROM OTHERS: 

“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you’ll learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.” 

Elisabeth Kubler Ross and Davis Kessler on grief and loss    

1 QUESTION TO CONSIDER: 

What would you want to have happen if a tragedy befell you? Think on this when you help and support others who have unthinkable tragedies happen. If you want to support the Mullens family, here is a link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-support-for-the-mullens-family

Until next week, 

Jarrod Hood

Counselor, coach and content creator