Easing the grieving process

Simple acts of kindness and comforting words work wonders in healing a wounded heart.

When finance executive M. Ratna Devi’s (name has been changed) spouse passed away in an accident in 2012, she felt her world had shattered. The widow, who works in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, realised she was going to have a challenging time ahead. Instantly becoming the sole breadwinner of the family, Ratna worried about having to juggle raising her three school-going children and work. Ratna could only weep in despair.

“It was difficult to accept the death of my husband. I felt alone and helpless. The hardest part was having to be strong for my children when I was also grieving,” recalled Ratna, 40.