How can I cope with this?

Question

Last week one of the men that I work for died and I was at camp. He died on Wednesday morning and I didn't find out until Thursday night and it has hit me pretty hard. I'm going to his memorial service on Wednesday and I'm going to write down some things that his youngest daughter should know about her dad and remember. I have never had someone that I have worked for everyday, babysitting his kids, die and I don't know what to do right now.

My question is how can I deal with this because it hurts me a lot and is there anything else I can do to help his 3 little girls to remember him?

Any ideas will work and his daughters are between the ages of 5 and 13.

I don't feel responsible for his kids but I feel like they should have more memories of their dad than they do right now.

Answer 1

Tell them funny stuff, like stuff that happened at work. You don't want to bring up anything sad or depressing (but I'm sure you already knew that.)

Answer 2

That must be hard for you and everyone who knew him. Thats a really nice idea to write down some stuff to help his daughter's remember him.

I think spending time with his family (not too much time because they will need some time to grieve as a family) but ask the girl's mother if she needs help with anything. This could be a good way for you to heal as well. Maybe bake them some cookies or something for dinner that they can reheat because I'm sure cooking is the last thing they feel like doing.

Let the mother know if she needs time on her own or the girls want to do something then you'd be happy to take them to the movies or the park or something.

Just be there for them and remember to look after yourself. If you need to talk to someone like a counselor then you should. It will take time, but things will get easier.

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