Terrible news can come from any direction and can be of any size.  For example, say its four o’clock in the morning and the phone rings; when it’s that early, usually, it’s never good.  No matter what it may be there isn’t a single person who could come close to what you’re feeling.  Even if they’ve been through the same situation that brought out the same conclusion, how you react will be different from how they react.

Everyone from Aunt Know-it-all to the cousin twice removed has a story to match the tragedy that happened to you.  Now I recognize that most people mean well and are honestly concerned for you, and are attempting to relate to your pain hoping to lesson your sorrow.  What I find discerning is that there isn’t a single person who will have the same response as the one before.  Yet we continue to use the phrase, “I know how you feel,” which in return my own response has been, and always will be, “No you don’t.”

Understandably, as mentioned before, most people are good natured and are just trying to help, but only you can relieve your loss.  In today’s world where being your own person and not conforming to society are what’s popular there is a thin line between relating to someone and comparing yourself to someone or what is going on.  A line that once crossed can cause irreparable damage.