This episode explores 10 different ways to include the people that have died into your holiday observances. From gift giving to holidays meals, self care and traditions, we cover it all in a short podcast episode with tons of practical tips to make these holidays less stressful, more inclusive and respectful of your grief. Please reach out to us at mzucker@inner-harbor.org or 908-292-8039 if you are looking for support or education.
As mentioned in the podcast, here is a blessing you may want to include in your holidays:
Memory Candles
As we light these four candles in honor of you, we light one for our GRIEF, one for our COURAGE, one for our MEMORIES and one for our LOVE.
This candle represents our GRIEF. The pain of losing you is intense. It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.
This candle represents our COURAGE – to confront our sorrow. to comfort each other, to change our lives.
This light is in your MEMORY – the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry with each other, the silly things you did, the caring and joy you gave us.
This light is for the light of LOVE.
As we enter this holiday season, day by day we cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us. We love you.
~From Holiday Help: Coping for the Bereaved, by Sherry Gibson, B.S., R.N. and Sandra Graves, Ph.D.Candles in the Night