How do you comfort a loved one who's in pain?

[Just Me]

Whaddya' do?

[Bouncy Ball]

1. Listen. Be there. Hug them.

Listen some more, some more, some more. Resist giving advice unless it's asked for. Listen some more.

Give them tissue, let them snot on your shirt as they cry. Feed them tons of Haagen-Daz if it helps.

[FizzFuzz]

4. seconding this good advice

look them in the eye.

offer to take them on an errand or out for coffee.
Don't wait for them to ask, they probably are feeling like they are imposing on people.

Try to keep up contact, especially after the time when the lonliness/sorrow really settles in and everyone else has returned to their lives.

[pinto]

2. Listen. Show up. Keep it simple. Don't try to change anything. Listen. n/t

[amazona]

3. just be there

I am no good with words and used to feel I was being a nuisance but just being there and letting them talk or cry helps. Don't try to solve their problem, you can't. Just be there.

Also, being as I'm from the south, if all else fails, bring some food and/or drink over so they don't have to be concerned with grocery store shopping for a few days. If there is no substance abuse problem, nothing wrong with a slug of good whiskey.

If it is physical pain, never underestimate the power of catering to them hand and foot and putting on a funny video.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Padraig18]

5. Cuddle, and just be here...

It helps as much as the pain pills, and even moreso.