We all sometimes have a friend or relative that is sick or injured or grieving or depressed. Human nature is usually such that we want to make them feel better and make their life easier.
Hence the phrase - "Let me know if I can do anything to help?"
Problem with that phrase - it is vague and open and leaves the person who is sick, injured, grieving or even depressed overwhelmed holding the bag . . . Also most people value their independence and it is never easy to ask for help. Help is a big vague category that means different things to different people
So here are some ideas for things you can do to help if you really want to help
First be specific with what you are offering:
If you are going to a store offer to pick up a specific item (pet food/paper goods/milk)
If you are a neighbor offer to roll down the trash dumpster on trash day or bring in the mail
drop off a care package outside the door - movies/books/magazines/sodas
bring food in small disposable containers with paper goods for serving
if the person has computer access and a laptop send a $5 or $10 itunes card or a gc for a game they can download
send an email or a funny joke - tell them something normal about yourself
make phone calls brief and normal
buy them a lottery ticket and tell them the numbers - gives them something fun to think about
come by and walk the dog or water the plants
do research for them - call a cleaning service that u have a coupon for or if you have a maid and give them specifics - hey xyz company will come out and clean ur house for you on Tue for $xxx if you need them to or my maid or neighbor's maid says she will do it for $xx
offer to run to the post office for them or to take kids to school or something that is on your way
none of these things are time consuming or expensive but they are all appreciated - everything little becomes an effort and anything that keeps life semi-normal helps.
So next time someone needs help take time to do one small real thing than lots of big offers - it really makes a difference




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