Words cannot encompass the reality of persons experiencing serious illness or accident as well as immediate care givers, involved families and close friends.
Words are tools of expressing meaning so that contact can be made between people. Words are public tools. Words complement body language as well as guttural noises that arise from the primeval brain. When events, conditions and chance place any of us where we are handling deep human emotions we by naturally reach for what nature provides.
The experience of a glance of the eye or a more expansive eye to eye "look" provides for exchange that is voluminous. Apparently there is a contact between the vision centers of the brain and the branches of meaning that make up the personalities of individuals. Vast realms of meaning are exchanged in a fraction of a second.
We humans can well learn from our companions. Dogs in particular exchange meaning with each other and with humans through the glance and the look. Dogs are said to be able to "read the minds" of their people. Dogs do not have words so they guide us humans to the basic necessities. With a dog and a human it is the glance of the eye and the physical touch that is profoundly intimate.
From the viewpoint of this care giver, the most welcome expression is to look me in the eye and say, "I'm so sorry". No words of sympathy or condolence are needed. Just three words and a look. So simple. So welcome.
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