The joy of St. Patrick’s Day filled the green decor of the café but Dylan’s mind was somewhere far away. “Hey, I don’t know what to do?” Dylan sighed as we settled into our usual café spot.
“What’s up?” I asked, concerned.
“It’s Mom,” he said, staring at the untouched coffee in front of him. “Ever since Dad passed away, she’s been different. She doesn’t smile anymore. She just moves through the day like she’s carrying a heavy weight.”
I nodded, understanding how grief can take hold of someone, making even the smallest joys feel out of reach. “That’s really tough,” I said gently. “She must be feeling a lot.”
“She is,” he murmured. “I don’t know how to help her? Nothing I do makes a difference.”
I let his words settle before responding. “You know, grief makes people feel like happiness is no longer allowed. But sometimes, what we need most is a reminder that it’s okay to smile.”
Dylan looked skeptical. “She doesn’t seem like she even wants to be happy.”
“I get that,” I said. “But what if, instead of trying to force happiness, you just bring moments of light? Humor, for example. A funny memory about your dad, a lighthearted joke, even watching an old sitcom together. Laughter doesn’t erase the pain, but it gives us moments of relief.”
He hesitated. “Isn’t that… wrong? Like I’m making light of what she’s going through?”
“Not at all,” I reassured him. “Grief and laughter aren’t enemies. Sometimes, a single smile can remind us that joy still exists, even in the hardest times.”
He hesitated. “I don’t know if she’d laugh at anything right now.”
“Start small,” I suggested. “Even if she doesn’t laugh right away, she’ll remember that happiness isn’t something she lost forever.”
Dylan was quiet for a while, then he nodded slowly. “You might be right. Maybe she just needs to know it’s okay to smile again.”
I smiled. “Exactly. And even if she doesn’t right away, just being there, sharing light moments, will help.”
A few days later, Dylan texted me: You were right. I told Mom a funny story about Dad, and for the first time in months, she actually smiled. Thank you.
To those reading this—if you know someone drowning in grief, don’t be afraid to bring light into their darkness. A small joke, a shared memory, a little laughter—it won’t take away the pain, but it will remind them that even in the hardest moments, joy is still possible.
