Adapted from recent online discussions.
Carolyn: A dear friend just found out her brother is dying from cancer. I don’t know the brother. Any ideas on how I can be of the most use to my friend as she tries to support her brother and cope with his diagnosis herself?
HELPING A FRIEND
Oh, so sad. Maybe the best thing you can do is expect and accept that she will be erratic during this time — her feelings and moods will be jagged, her ability to be your friend will be all over the place, she will overreact to X and underreact to Y, etc. If you can be a patient, soft place for her, then you will be of enormous value.
Another great thing to do is just call. If you normally talk every day, then just keep up your normal pace; you’d be surprised at how many people grow awkward and just drift away.
On a more practical note, you can do things like watch her home when she travels to see him; keep an eye on ticket prices to help her find times to go; pick up a few chores of hers that will lighten her load, etc. As grieving people report so often, it’s more helpful when people offer tangible things to which they can respond “yes” or “no,” versus coming up with an answer to an open-ended “If there’s anything I can do …”
Carolyn: What’s your definition of a “soul mate”? I think I’ve found mine — a friend of a friend. We’ve started hanging out and he just “gets me.” I have no desire to jump into a relationship with him right now, though he’d love nothing more, but we both agree we’re each other’s soul mates. I don’t think soul mates are necessarily romantic interests. In fact, I would say that romance with one might prove catastrophic. He disagrees. What do you think?
M.
I have no idea what a soul mate is to you, which is the only definition that matters.
I do have a pretty good idea of what a red flag looks like, though, and your short question throws two: He’s pushing for a faster commitment than you feel comfortable giving, and he’s dismissing at least one of your arguments against an immediate declaration of happiness ever after.
Email tellme@washpost.com. Chat online at 10 a.m. Fridays at www.washingtonpost.com.
