Hope for the Holidays

Under “normal” circumstances, the holiday season can be stressful. When you add grief to the holidays, it can definitely feel like an overwhelming time of year.

If you are grieving a loved one during this season, there may be ways you can try to lighten the normal stressors of the season. If you usually mail 50 Christmas cards, skip the cards, or send some to a select few. If decorating every room of your house is something you normally do, maybe this year put a wreath on the front door and decorate a simple tree. If you usually spend a lot of time shopping for gifts, maybe gift cards or even a thoughtful note will suffice this year. Hopefully you have people in your life who will understand that you may need to do things a little differently this year.

Finding ways to honor your loved one can bring some peace to the holiday season. For example, you might find a way to incorporate your loved one in your holiday decorating. Maybe you can find an ornament that reminds you of them. Did your beloved sister enjoy raising chickens? What about adding a chicken ornament to your tree and it might make you think of your sister each time you walk past. If your dad loved to play golf, maybe you could add a golf ornament to your tree this year in memory of something he loved to do. Lighting a candle in memory of your loved one or playing their favorite game together as a family are also ways to find some joy when you are grieving. Sometimes looking at pictures of past holidays spent with them can be comforting.

Please remember that Home Hospice also offers monthly drop-in groups and individual grief counseling sessions. Individual sessions are offered virtually and in-person. It does not matter how long ago your loved one died or if your loved one was cared for by Home Hospice – we offer grief support to everyone in our communities.