Not too long ago, there was a death in my family. One family member shared that she had taken care of things; she’d sent a sympathy note and made a donation in the loved one’s memory. She’s correct; she did just what she was supposed to do. But what happens in the days and months after the cards and donations cease?

A friend dealing with a loss shared that one thing she noticed was how quickly other people move on. When you’ve had a significant loss and while you’re grieving and adjusting to the loss, life seems to go on for everyone else, but not you.

So what can you do to help? You can make a phone call. Don’t be surprised to hear the voice on the other end when they answer the phone. They might seem tired and sad, but when they hear your voice, their pleasure in your thoughtfulness will be evident in the positive change in their voice.

Everyone feels better when they know someone cares and it’s important to let others know they’re not forgotten. So when you find you have a few minutes, which we all do, make a call. You’ll brighten someone’s day and ease them along in their healing.

Robbie Miller Kaplan is an author who writes from a unique perspective as a mother who has lost two children. She has written How to Say It When You Don't Know What to Say, a guide to help readers communicate effectively when those they care about experience loss, now available in three individual volumes: "Illness & Death," "Suicide" and "Miscarriage." Additional titles are available as e-books: "Death of a Child," "Death of a Stillborn or Newborn Baby," "Pet Loss," "Caregiver Responsibilities," "Divorce" and "Job Loss." All titles are in Amazon's Kindle Store. Click here to order.