Grievers Need Slack Norm Kidd    Grievers Need “Slack” Slack is a slang word; informal English. When I use the word, I think of consideration, mercy, empathy, leniency, compassion and kindness. Slack is what grievers need most and so seldom get. We ought to be far more considerate of them for a much longer period of time. Grief is not a matter that begins and ends on a schedule. Empathy is a manner of understanding. It’s listening, not so much to the words, but what the griever’s heart is communicating in the words. It’s having the listening ear that patiently waits to hear the sorrow of the soul. Mother’s sorrow will most likely be totally different from Aunt Helen’s, when both have lost their husbands. That calls for considerable leniency on your part because you think you have this grief thing figured out by watching what Aunt Helen went through. So, if you love someone in the midst of grief, cut him or her some slack. Learning through grief is not just for the griever; we all need to learn.