![](widgets/spacer.gif) |
![](widgets/spacer.gif) |
|
![](widgets/gen_0.1.gif) |
![](widgets/gen_1.1.gif) |
![](widgets/gen_2.1.gif) |
Sign
Up Today & Receive Our
FREE
SPECIAL REPORT
"25 Supportive Things You Can Do For Someone That
Has Lost a Loved One
~ Plus 10 Thoughtful Gift Ideas"
Monthly
you will receive
tips, articles
and inspirational stories on how to assist a loved one
through the journey of restoring
balance in their life after a loss.
We promise to never sell, rent, trade, or share your
e-mail with any other organization.
|
|
![Welcome](widgets/gen_7.1.gif)
![About Us](widgets/gen_50.1.gif)
![I Did Not Know What To Say...](widgets/gen_46.1.gif)
![Inspirational Messages & Ideas](widgets/gen_70.1.gif)
![Inspirational Adventures](widgets/gen_21.1.gif)
![Thoughtful Sympathy Gifts](widgets/gen_62.1.gif)
![Our Blog](widgets/gen_56.1.gif)
![Share Your Story](widgets/gen_54.1.gif)
![Grief Support Resources](widgets/gen_64.1.gif)
![Helpful Grief Support Books](widgets/gen_60.1.gif)
![Giving Back](widgets/gen_23.1.gif)
![Gratitude Forum](widgets/gen_58.1.gif)
![Helpful Resources](widgets/gen_66.1.gif)
![FAQ](widgets/gen_33.1.gif)
![Sponsors & Advertisers](widgets/gen_35.1.gif)
![Join Our Mailing List](widgets/gen_37.1.gif)
![Contact Us](widgets/gen_39.1.gif)
![Site Map](widgets/gen_41.1.gif)
![e-mail me](widgets/gen_9.1.gif)
|
Be the Gift of Comfort, Joy and Love this Holiday Season by Lori Pederson
|
|
The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone. When you have lost a
loved one, the holidays can be filled with mixed emotions of joy and
sorrow. After the loss of my mother, the first Thanksgiving and
Christmas were filled with a sense of displacement. My mother always
hosted the holidays at her home. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and
birthdays were always a celebration with many family and friends.
After my mom passed away that all changed. The first few years were
an adjustment. I was blessed to be included in my sister's family
festivities and when my dad moved back to California we were able to
start new family traditions.
Over the holidays my home is still
filled with memories of my mother's love for the holidays. I have
combined my new holiday decorations and traditions with some of my mom's
favorites. Making my mom's favorite holiday recipes each year helps me
connect with her spirit and makes me feel like she is right there with
me.
As we move into the holiday season, remember that your
friends and family members that have lost a loved one may be
experiencing deep feelings of loss during the holidays. Be sure to take
the time to connect and let them know that they are loved.
Here are a few ways to be the gift they were hoping for this
holiday season:
- Invite your loved one to join you for your holiday
gathering. As family members pass away, traditions change and a
loved one may not be able to spend the holidays with their family.
Including them in your family festivities will help ease the loneliness
they may be feeling this time of year.
- Make a special date to go to dinner, have coffee,
or to go shopping to have some private one-on-one time. This special
time will allow them the opportunity to talk about their feelings.
- Help them with holiday arrangements. If they are
hosting a holiday gathering, offer to help them prepare the food or
offer to go shopping for them to take a little stress off of their
shoulders. Ask if they would like you to prepare a favorite food that
may have been a family tradition.
- Take them out for a special day of pampering to a
spa or to have a massage. Relaxation and pampering will assist both of
you with the stress of the holidays.
- Celebrate the memories of their loved one by
sharing stories and going through photo albums together. This activity
will give your friend or family member the opportunity to celebrate
their happy memories.
Having the support of friends and family during the holidays can make
all the difference. So as you are making out your to do list for the
holidays, be sure to include those friends and family members that might
need a little extra love and care this time of year. We invite
you to share your holiday stories and suggestions with us on our Blog or
by email at
info@ididnotknowwhattosay.com. Our December newsletter will feature
more suggestions on how to be a wonderful gift to your friends and
family this holiday season.
© 2009 Lori Pederson
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB
SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Lori
Pederson, Founder of I Did Not Know What To Say, a website created to
inspire and to provide you with tools to assist a love one through the
grieving process. If you would like our free newsletter on how to assist
your friends and family members through the journey of restoring balance
in their life after the death of a love one, please visit our website at
www.ididnotknowwhattosay.com.
|
|
|
![Related Articles](images/button369.jpg) |
|
|
|
|
|
© Copyright 1999-2009, Parallels. All Rights Reserved.
|
|