Holidays and Grief - Tips for Making it Through the Pain

During the next several weeks, many people will be experiencing their first holiday this season without a loved one near their side.  If you have faced the death of a family member or friend this past year, or if the loss is less recent but you still dread the holidays, then the tips below are for you.  
1.  Be good to yourself.  Spend time with people who love you no matter what.  Let others help you.  Accept invitations.  If you are in danger of spending the holidays alone, speak up and let others know you are hurting.  You will be glad you did.
2.  Keep a journal.  Use it to write down your thoughts, feelings, prayers.  Write in it daily. Use a pen and paper...it's therapeutic.
3.  Don't feel tied to old traditions.  It may be too painful.  On the other hand, if an old tradition would feel comforting to you, continue it.
4.  Talk about your loved one with others who knew him/her.  Share stories that capture their personality.  It's okay to laugh at the funny stories - it honors their memory and it's even good for you.
5.  Seek some outside support.  Start by looking for a grief support group.  If you just cannot get out, or it's too soon for this, Griefshare.org will send you daily emails that are encouraging and uplifting.  Check out their website at http://www.griefshare.org/dailyemails and sign up today.
And, if it helps, know that people who don't even know you are praying for you.  The Griefshare leaders at The Chapel are already doing this.  
Have a blessed Holiday season.