Supporting boyfriend through the death of his step-father

[justanotherjane]

I have been with my boyfriend since early November last year, at which point his step-father had just been told he had 6 months to live (prostate cancer for the second time, this time terminal). This morning my boyfriend has called me from work to let me know a friend of his has died this morning and after hearing him so upset on the phone I think it has only just hit me that this is really happening and his step-father is going to die, and I have to support him through this. I don't know his step-father that well (whenever we have met it has only been briefly) and on these occasions he has appeared perfectly healthy, which is why I think it has only just hit me that he is seriously ill and the inevitable will happen. I have never experienced having to support someone through something like this before and this morning I have realised I'm really not sure how I'm going to support my boyfriend and his family (who I barely know). Is there going to be anything I can do to help them through what is going to be a horrible period? I can't begin to imagine how they are all feeling now, waiting like it's a ticking time bomb, never mind how they will feel after his death. I don't know what I'm asking here really, I just need some reassurance that we will get through it, and I have only come across this site by chance so thank you for bearing with me.

[HormonalHeap]

I don't think it's your job to support your boyfriend's family if you barely know them, but of course you will want to support your boyfriend. The best way to do that is to simply listen to him, or even give him space if that's what he needs. I am going through the same at the moment with my husband's step-dad. Yes it will be a horrible time but your boyfriend is fortunate to have someone so supportive.