Dear Queenie,
A friend of mine lost her father when he was killed in a traffic accident.
Queenie, how can I help her get through this terrible time?—Sympathetic friend
Dear Friend,
Let her know you are sorry about her loss and will listen if and when she wants to talk to you about it. She probably will behave differently for a while – sad or angry, wanting to be alone, or surrounded with friends.
Do not try to help her “get over it”. One does not “get over” a loss like that, but in time she will learn to deal with her loss and get on with her life.
