You don't really have to say anything out of the ordinary.
You might offer some help if they're struggling with a coat or a serving dish.
You might ask, "How is it for you today?" If you really want to know.
You might tell them they're in your prayers. Better yet you could offer one!
But there's no good thing to say to make them feel better, and it's not your obligation to try. Just being there speaks loudly enough.
About the most candid and truthful reaction to finding out I had PD came from a fellow preacher in Maine. He said some hopeful words, but summed it up with, "It stinks to be you." That rang true for me. Although sometimes it doesn't.
What can I, a PD person, say to you. I can reveal it to you. I can say, "Sorry for the shaking arm--I have PD. Not an excuse, not an identity. But a fact about me. People may be uncomfortable hearing it (and not know what to say!), but they're going to have to deal with my PD too, so it's only fair that they know about it.
One thing we can both say: God be with us as we deal with illness.
1 comment:
How very fine indeed. Thank you very much--this is spot on, you must already know. Peace and all good things for you in your work and in life.
Sincerely,
Diane
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