The holidays have a way of reminding us of the loved one’s that have passed.
The “merry and bright” holiday spirit doesn’t necessary aline with grief. Even if people aren’t necessarily happy within, they at least put on a smile because the season demands it, which makes it seem to those who grieve a death that the whole world is celebrating while their world has changed quite drastically for the worse.
The brutal reality is that the loss of a loved one requires grieving, even during the holidays. If you have lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend and this is your first Christmas (or even your twenty-first Christmas) to celebrate without him or her, consider taking a step to remember them this Christmas:
Publicly memorialize your loved one.
This could take the form of a letter you write to them and read aloud to your family.
Or you could simply have a conversation with your family or friends where everyone shares their best memory of that person.
The experience will be bittersweet but cathartic.
You’ll think of how much your loved one would have liked hearing those things about themselves.
You may cry. You’ll probably laugh.
But this will help you grieve in a healthy, open, vulnerable manner.
I wish you peace and comfort this Christmas season as you grieve, as you remember, and as you celebrate.
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