Of Course I'm Here Right Now - by Shelby Forsythia (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

What do I say to someone who is grieving?

When someone we love is grieving, we want to help, but we often don't know what to say. "I'm sorry" feels empty. "Let me know if there's anything I can do" puts pressure on them to ask. "Time heals all" only makes things worse. But what if, instead of avoiding the conversation or saying something unintentionally hurtful, you had three simple phrases that reliably offer comfort?

Of Course I'm Here Right Now is your guidebook to supporting a grieving friend, family member, client, or anyone who's grieving, and doing so with confidence and compassion. Here, experienced grief coach Shelby Forsythia introduces three essential phrases that, when used appropriately, can provide immediate relief and long-term reassurance.

Through real-life examples, practical scripts, and a sensitive, compassion-first approach, this book equips you to say something truly meaningful even when words feel inadequate, to show up for the grieving person in a way that strengthens your relationship, and to stop second-guessing yourself as you offer comfort that resonates.

Whether you're consoling someone after a death, divorce, diagnosis, or another loss, Of Course I'm Here Right Now ensures you'll never be at a loss for words again.

Review Quotes

"Shelby Forsythia reminds us that comfort isn't found in tired sayings but rather in real words that meet grief where it lives. No filler, no fluff; just what people going through the tough stuff truly need." --Rebecca Soffer, bestselling author of The Modern Loss Handbook

"Have you ever wondered what to say to a grieving relative or friend and been unable to find the right words? We've all been there at some point. With Of Course I'm Here Right Now, Shelby Forsythia has created a brilliant, necessary book that can help all of us build a more grief-literate society. I cannot recommend it enough. Required reading for every human." --Hope Edelman, author and founder of Motherless Daughters

"Shelby Forsythia created a step-by-step guide for those of us who strive, and usually struggle, to confidently show up for the people we care about when loss enters their world.... This should be required reading for any human trying to be human with other humans." --Jana DeCristofaro, LCSW, host of the Grief Out Loud podcast and Advocacy & Education Manager at Dougy Center, The National Grief Center for Children & Families

"This book is the missing piece to grief education. It helps those who are supporting the griever, giving them language, tools, and insight for how to truly be there for someone after loss." --Dr. Julie Shaw, certified grief educator and coach and founder of Hello I'm Grieving

"A wonderful, in-depth, and clear guide for what to say (and not say) to someone who is grieving. Forsythia offers us all incredibly thoughtful and practical ways to best accompany those in grief. Her three conversational concepts are so helpful and easy to remember, and get at the heart of what grieving people struggle with the most. If you love someone who is grieving, read this book!" --Colin Campbell, writer, director, and author of Finding the Words

"Into a world full of heartbreak and uncomfortable silence comes a book that bravely sits in between. It gives us the words for what the soul can't fathom in this physical world. Shelby Forsythia's book helps you find not only the words but also the courage to say them." --Christina Rasmussen, author of Invisible Loss and Second Firsts

"Of Course I'm Here Right Now offers valuable insights on effectively supporting individuals who are grieving, with an emphasis on the language we use. This increases our confidence in supporting those in grief and helps us foster a safer space for grievers to feel genuinely seen and heard." --Joshua Black, PhD, grief researcher and host of the Grief Dreams podcast

"This is the book we wish people had when we were in the thick of grief. It's a smart, reassuring guide for anyone who wants to support a grieving person with real empathy, not empty clichés." --Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn, hosts of the Good Mourning podcast

"The topic of grief is so difficult to navigate, let alone provide the needed support to someone who is grieving. Of Course I'm Here Right Now offers kind, realistic, and approachable methods to conquer the fear of 'what to say' by offering a backdrop to grief, historical facts, life experiences, and thought-provoking scenarios that are spot-on.... I highly recommend this book--it should be required reading, honestly--to anyone in health care, clergy, counselors, social workers, and bereavement." --Mare Draper, Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) Bereavement Coordinator, Nemours Children's Health