We remember birthdays and anniversaries.

But do we remember the anniversary of a day that changed a friend’s life?

When someone has gone through a painful experience, they may be the only person who remembers that date long after others have moved on. That can feel lonely.

That’s why I encourage people to make note of significant anniversaries—perhaps the anniversary of a death, a final cancer treatment, a military deployment, or another life-changing event. Remembering those dates lets your friend know they haven’t been forgotten.

Here’s a tip I learned from my friend Susan. Whenever she hears about an important milestone or difficult experience, she adds the date to her calendar and sets a reminder on her phone for 51 weeks later. That way, one week before the anniversary, she’s prompted to reach out with a simple message: “I’m thinking of you.”

And you don’t have to wait a year. Setting a reminder to check in after 30 days can also be meaningful.

Here’s my wisdom for today:

Comforting words matter.

Remembering to offer those words matters, too. So, make a note to reach out to a suffering friend.

God bless.