Option B

by Sheryl Sandberg

Adam walked me through the data: after losing a parent, many children are surprisingly resilient. They go on to have happy childhoods and become well-adjusted adults.

I have long believed that people need to feel supported and understood at work. I now know that this is even more important after tragedy.

new “family rules”

Rule number one was “Respect our feelings.” We discussed how the sadness might come over them at awkward times, like during school, and that when it did, they could take a break from whatever they were doing. Their cry breaks were frequent and their teachers kindly arranged for them to go outside with a friend or to the guidance counselor so they could let their feelings out.

Acknowledging blessings can be a blessing in and of itself.

Counting blessings can actually increase happiness and health by reminding us of the good things in life. Each night, no matter how sad I felt, I would find something or someone to be grateful for.

There’s no one way to grieve and there’s no one way to comfort.

But when someone is suffering, instead of following the Golden Rule, we need to follow the Platinum Rule: treat others as they want to be treated.

Grief doesn’t share its schedule with anyone; we all grieve differently and in our own time.