Sunday, May 1, 2011

Comfort Company Can Help on Mother's Day

The Comfort Company is an online retailer of unique sympathy gifts for the most difficult day of the year—Mother’s Day. Grieving mothers deserve support and recognition on this day.

The company has identified the 10 best ways to show love, support and sympathy by running a web-based survey asking grieving mothers, “What can others say, do or give that would bring you comfort on this day? Perhaps you can let them know.

The number one answer did not surprise me. The bereaved parent still wants to be recognized as a mother. In addition, nearly every mother surveyed wanted her loss to be remembered with a card, a phone call, a gift or a hug. Over half of the mothers surveyed considered Mother’s Day to be their most difficult holiday.

I know that I am always grateful to hear from others on that day, a call, a card or an email tells me that both my daughter and I are remembered. I do not received many, but treasure the ones I do get.

Erma Bombeck said in a column she wrote for Mother’s Day many years ago, “Mother’s Day is a day of appreciation and respect. I can think of no mothers who deserve it more than those who had to give a child back.”

Here is the list of the ten things grieving mothers want most for Mother’s Day from the survey.
.
1. As stated above, recognize that they are a mother with a hug, a heartfelt “Happy Mother’s Day”, or a simple card to let them know you remember that they are a mother, even though their child is not with them physically.

2 Acknowledge their loss with a powerful message: I know this might be a difficult day, and I want you to know I am thinking about you today. Removing the wall of silence gives a grieving mother permission to talk about the child.

3. Use the child’s name in conversation. One mother said, “ say his name and ask me my fondest memory.

4. Plant a living memorial: a tree or flower bulbs in memory of the child that will live on.

5. Visit the gravesite. Many mothers felt that it was extremely thoughtful when others visited their child’s gravesite and left flowers or a small pebble hear the headstone.

6. Light a candle in memory of the child and let the mother know.

7. Share a memory or picture. Give the precious gift of a memory.

8. Send a gift of remembrance. Items include anything personalized with the child’s name such as a piece of jewelry, a memory box, a picture frame or a donation in the child’s name.

9. Don’t minimize the loss. Avoid clichés that attempt to explain the death, such as “you still have two healthy children.”

10. Encourage a grieving mother to take care of herself. Send a gift certificate to a day spa or any place where she can be pampered and take her mind off her grief for a while.

To learn more about how to support a grieving mother and find unique sympathy gifs, visit the company at www.thecomfortcompany.net .

1 comment:

  1. I hate Mother's Day now.

    It wasn't about "me", it was about them. I loved celebrating the gift of my children.

    Now one is gone forever and I hate that. I can't say goodbye because she is everywhere but not here.

    Thank you for this post.

    ReplyDelete