Holiday and Grief

Last week we held a Holiday and Grief workshop for some of our students who must face the upcoming holidays without someone that they love.  I am always so impressed by our students and their courage - especially those who are dealing with grief and loss.

As we gathered together our conversation turned to the fact that we ALL are experiencing grief due to our life circumstances being changed by COVID.  For those grieving, this is yet another loss on top of all the hurt they are already enduring.  But I loved their perspective in recognizing that all of us are grieving right now.

Let's be honest, under normal circumstances the holidays are stressful!  This is NOT a normal year and so the stress is even more overwhelming.  If you are someone who is grieving this holiday season, I hope you will strive to honor and remember your loved one in whatever ways are most healing for you.  Tell stories about them, eat their favorite foods, light a candle, create a scrapbook, decorate their grave stone with flowers, or whatever else you might find comforting.  

Giving yourself permission to grieve and to deal with the loss in your own way is important because how you feel is important.  So feel your feelings without judgment and allow the sadness and the joy to live side by side in your life because those feelings are both there in your heart.

And finally, I want to extend a huge thank you to the students who participated in the holiday and grief workshop.  You inspire us all with your bravery!