What would gratefulness do?

Gratefulness is why we show up for each other especially when it might feel awkward. I went to a another wake yesterday. A friend of mine’s son crashed his car and died. He was 24. I knew his father not his mother or grandmother. When I went to give my condolences to the women, they both said they were grateful I came and that it meant a lot to them. Moments earlier when I asked a friend sitting next to me if the women in front of us was the boys mother she said yes and not to bother going up to her. I went anyway without hesitation. Both the mother and grandmother were appreciative. I don’t know why my friend said not to go up to them. It was the right thing to do. Maybe because they didn’t speak english well. Even so both said thank you we are grateful I came. That hit me. I didn’t even know them. When I sat down I noticed most people were friends of the father and not many people were going up to the women. I’m glad I did. I think gratitude is a shared response and not something done in isolation. I’m not sure. All I know is I’m glad I went and didn’t just pray for them at home like I wanted to since I didn’t know any of them well. My heart was moved and looking into the eyes of the women touched my soul.