I love the Christmas season with all the lights and carols and decorations. It is a season of love and connecting and gift giving for most of us but when we lose someone close to us it can be a very dark time indeed.
We have many traditions that make Christmas special and when there’s someone obviously missing from those traditions we often feel our grief more sharply than at other times of the year. This is also true of anniversaries and birthdays and other special occasions when they roll around each year after a loss.
When things are different for us do we hang on to precious traditions or adjust them or forget all about celebrating the season or do we create new rituals and traditions? There is no one answer to that question because we all have to find our own way but there are some things we need to consider as we make our choices.
How can I best honour the memory of my loved one?
What do I need in order to continue the journey of healing through the holiday season?
How do I create healthy boundaries so that I can take care of myself in the midst of all the festivities?
What is important to me at this time of the year and what can I let go of?
What do I need to communicate to my family and friends so that they know I’m ok but I may need to do some things differently than in the past?
The promise of Christmas is about faith, peace, love and joy; what will help me to realize these promises in my heart this Holiday Season?
There are many ways for us to honour ourselves and our loved ones both living and dead (or estranged) but becoming aware of what is right for us requires some quiet contemplation, some new ways of looking at things and a willingness to move beyond the status quo sometimes.
I hope you will take some time for self-care, contemplation and to make those important communications in the upcoming weeks so that you can make this Holiday Season as grace filled as possible!
All the blessings of the Season to you and yours.
Yvonne
