Email: Mom is fighting cancer. How to be more supportive? (US)
Help can be actions like running errands or practical resources. We hold space as she goes through difficult phases. She may want to express grief, pain, doubts, talk or stay silent. May need to hold hands, hug or some time alone to regain her calm centre.
We stay balanced. Our steadiness will allow her to lean for support. Can be very responsive allowing her to dictate flow of interactions from talking to silence, fears to grief. Just be there to help her confront feelings or need for guidance.
Holding space requires humility, wisdom, empathy, energy and compassion. We allow her to simply be, feel freely and act without worrying about how she’s perceived.
Please don’t show sympathy, pity or make her feel vulnerable.
Stay strong, patient and resilient as her pillar of hope, light and strength.
Take good care of self. We swing in emotions too. Make her smile, feel loved.
Wish her speedy recovery.