Helping

I will never forget the day my sister decided to help me after Reiley died. I don't recall where I had been, but I remember coming through the front door and my sister mentioned that she had bagged up some of Reiley's things.

I must have stood there with a blank stare as I couldn't respond. I felt as though I was being cheated of closing that chapter of my life myself. I was his mother and it was up to me to bag and box up his things without anyone else interfering with that process.

I was angry, instantly irate. I don't remember if I yelled or screamed or even said anything. I don't recall if I broke down into tears; but I do know that I held onto a great deal of resentment towards my sister for quite some time following.

Helping to clear out someone's possessions after they die is far from helping the person the loss most greatly impacts. Unless asked for assistance in doing so, just offer to be a support instead of taking the initiative to do so yourself.