My husband and I have been watching “Chicago Fire” a drama of the life of firefighters and paramedics in Chicago.  The paramedics and fire trucks always carry a jump bag filled with necessary medical supplies they will need in emergencies.  They provide first aid till the person can be transported to the hospital. 

As Stronger Life Connections provides grief support to our community, locally and online, we realize that not many people know first aid for grief that is helpful.  Usually we apply bandages that cover up our pain and try to stop the bleeding.  When we have said our platitudes, given our advice, we send them on their way hoping time will heal all wounds. 

What if we could learn tools that could help people work through the emotional pain of loss and start to build resilience as losses keep coming at us? 

I would like to share just one tool that could help someone’s emotional pain.  It is simple but hard to do.  That is to be present and reflectively listen to the person e...