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Show up to fold some laundry, drop off a pizza gift certificate, take care of a sibling… Accompany her to a doctors appointment, or just drive them there, on a day when the little one is feeling okay, force the parents out of the house for an hour to walk around the block with their cell phone- just in case…

And don’t think Charlie won’t know. He can write a card, bring her a flower, play.

There is always some way to help.

I once picked up a huge load of ironing for someone…

I’ll add her to my list of people to send positive thoughts to. good luck

I’m weeping at the news of Charlie’s little friend and her family. I’ve said a prayer and will continue to do so. I also ran over and gave my children crushing hugs.

Please keep us updated on the girl and her family, and of course, let us know if there is anything that can be done.

Seriously, though, we are coming off a year of grave family illness. (Fortunately it was an adult, not a child, and we think we’re almost out of the woods). Please don’t think there isn’t anything you can do for Charlie’s friend’s family! So many friends and acquaintances offered to help and offered us prayers this year — which were all lovely. But the best thing of all was that some people showed up and did things! Some brought us meals (without waiting for us to ask for them), some mowed our lawn, raked our leaves or shoveled our snow. Some took our kids on play dates or to the movies or bowling so they could feel normal. So, don’t wait and wonder — show up and help in some way. It can be small (drop off a batch of cookies, or a flowering plant, or a batch of balloons) or medium-sized (invite the little girl to a quiet story and craft play date on a day she’s feeling well) or bigger (weed the garden so Mom has time with her child). Just show up. I promise it will make a difference.