30 People Share The Worst News They Had To Tell Other People And They Are Heartbreaking

"I had to tell a 4 year old that I couldn't be his mum."

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• July 5, 2022

Communication is an integral part of our humanity. Our ability to speak and understand each other either bridges gaps or creates barriers among us.

Proper communication is also one of the pillars that build strong relationships between people. This type of open and honest communication is a learned skill that is easier said than done especially when it comes to discussing the inevitable rough patches we go through.

There is no shortage of these difficult times but this doesn't make heartbreaking conversations any easier. Relaying sad news to family, friends, and loved ones will always be a challenge.

A recent discussion on a Reddit forum tackled this tear-jerking topic. Thousands of anonymous users shared the hardest things they've had to tell someone else.

We are warning you that these stories talk about death, breakups, and pets. Reddit users who are notorious for keeping their personal details private got vulnerable in a rare moment.

They opened up their lives and gave us a glimpse into some of the darkest moments of their past. There is no sugarcoating this thread because a lot of the stories are difficult to read.

Feel free to take a lot of deep breaths while reading these stories. Make sure there are some tissues nearby in case some unruly tears escape from your eyes.

Here's the question that started the impromptu group therapy session:

1. The timing, the death, and the number of times first responders & healthcare workers have to do this is unthinkable

2. The sad reality of being around your parents during their sunset years

3. This husband who had to keep it together to share the most heartbreaking news to his family

4. This cancer patient who had to relay the reality of her disease

5. We just want to give everyone on this thread a big hug

6. This commenter who was just a teenager at that time

7. This person who had to tell a kid she couldn't be his mom

8. Witnessing a grandparent pass away and making the calls to loved ones

9. This person who faced their addiction

10. This person who had to rush to their mom's house to tell her about a death in the family before she reads it online

11. This friend who had to share their friend's manner of death

12. This military personnel who had to inform the parents of a fallen soldier about his death

13. A mom who had to tell her teenage daughter her cousin died

14. This person who had the unfortunate job of informing their mom that their parent was killed by another family member

15. An employee who had to inform the entire office about a coworker's death

16. Time for a break... imagine telling a kid that chocolate milk is not naturally chocolatey

17. This kid who had to repeatedly tell their mom that their sibling was dead

18. This daughter who had to inform her dad's best friend of his passing

19. Telling a genuinely good hearted politician they lost the race

20. Informing your client they will live their whole life without freedom

21. Informing a neighbor you witnessed their pet's last moments

22. Informing family members about the passing of a loved one will never be easy

23. Having to tell a parent you can't recover the photographs of their dead child

24. Rescue personnels who had to inform the family that there is a slim chance their relative will be found alive

25. Oh god, I can't even imagine how painful this must have been

26. This mom who had to tell her kids they will never get to meet and grow up with their baby brother

27. Ending a marriage

28. "Parents aren't supposed to outlive their children"

29. Finally saying this out loud must have been terrifying and traumatizing

30. Relaying the bad news to your parents that your sibling died

Life throws us a lot of curve balls. Conversations like the ones above cannot be avoided because at one point or another, it will have to be us delivering the bad news.

Nothing will ever prepare us for those moments but we can only choose to be kind and emphatic when those moments do come. We are sending the warmest virtual hug, with consent, to everyone.

Chelsi