Search Results: only a connection through text

I have a bit of a complicated situation where the guy I’m seeing is a fairly recent Tinder match. Things escalated quickly because we hit it off, then unfortunately I had to leave the country for a family emergency but we talked almost everyday and maintained our connection over the month. However, he’s recently had a very close family member be diagnosed terminally with only a few weeks to live.

He’s been honest and open about how much this has thrown him off and how he’s only had to deal with his dog’s death to date. We saw each other for the first time again last week and nothing changed in person aside from him being more affectionate but as far as our day to day texting and whatnot goes, there’s quite a difference.

I want to be there for him but I also don’t want to impose, make him feel like I’m disrespecting the space he needs right now, or that I’m pushing a serious relationship on him.

What would you want in this situation? What helped you in past relationships when you’ve gone through grief? And have you ever completely lost interest in someone or ended a relationship because dealing with the grief was too overwhelming?