The Story Is Not Over

The holiday season is upon us again!  Holidays can bring great joy, excitement, and love.  At the same time, they may be overwhelming for adults and children alike.  The holidays can often bring out intense and extreme emotions.  This may be particularly true of those families experiencing some type of loss.

 It may be easy to stay as busy and fill the days packed with activities; hoping to avoid thoughts, feelings, and uncomfortable conversations.   Others may become absorbed in thoughts of loss and memories of the past, and maybe unable to embrace new experiences and to start new traditions.   The truth is, there is no right way to grieve during the holidays. Remembrance is something unique to each person experiencing, as is the process of acting out their grieving and mourning.  However, it can be important to not go too far toward any one extreme.

The holidays can be a time to remember loved ones and those we have lost, but it can also be a celebration of life and an opportunity to embrace the living.   It is possible to miss what was, and still be excited about what is and will be.  Allowing one’s self to acknowledge the loss and the grief, is important.  Remembering the times shared with loved ones and the memories made is healthy and helpful.  However, it is equally as important to work toward a future and present life full of new experiences, new traditions, and new memories.  The past and future are all one book, with no chapters needing to be deleted in order to continue writing.