When Bad Things Happen for No Good Reason
Dear Frankie,
What do you say to a friend who can’t get a break?
In October, my friend Apple was out for a walk, and a dog charged and bit her in the leg. Besides being in shock, she could barely walk for a week.
In November, when she was walking home from the park, a disheveled man who was talking to himself approached her and kicked her in the stomach. She was badly bruised and laid up for weeks.
In December, while crossing the street at a green light, a car came careening around the corner and hit her, and she had to go to the veterinarian hospital in an animal control van. No bones were broken, but she was bruised from head to toe and a mental wreck.
Whenever I visit her, she asks me to tell her what she did she do to cause these terrible things to happen to her. I don’t think she did anything to cause them, and I don’t know what to say to make her feel better.
Sligo
Dear Sligo,
Wow, what a string of bad events. I can only imagine how scary they were for her.
First, let her know how sorry you feel for her and understand how scary these events would be for anyone. Tell her she didn’t do anything to cause these incidents. Unfortunately, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Encourage her to walk with a friend until she can regain her confidence. Offer to accompany her when she decides to go out again.
Best, Frankie
© 2025 Geneva Woodruff
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