SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS
Adapted from Gerald Hill, Chaplain, Mt. Diablo
Hospital and Medical Center, Concord, CA
Here are several suggestions for getting the most
out of the upcoming holidays. We suggest that you try
one or two of them, or use these to spark some other
ideas that will be personal and meaningful to you.
Even though there may be some emotional pain connected
with doing activities like these, we believe there
will also be a special kind of healing in them.
1. Give a SPECIAL GIFT in memory of your loved one.
Join the gift- giving emphasis of the holidays by giving
a gift of some kind, e.g., a flowering plant to a favorite
instution like a nursing home, church or temple.
2. Give a GIFT OF MONEY, if you can afford it, to
others who are disadvantaged and having a hard time
of it. Give the gift in memory of your loved one. You
might choose a cause that was important to your loved
one.
3. ENGAGE IN AN ACTIVITY that you and your loved
one especailly enjoyed. You might choose to do this
alone, or with other family or friends. Some examples
of this would be like going to a play, going fishing
or taking a trip to a favorite place.
4. During the holidays begin some kind of NEW TRADITION
OR RITUAL that is meaningful to you. An example of
this might be the lighting of a special candle during
the holiday season. The candle could symbolize both
the one you lost and light for the path ahead of you
into the future.
5..To rephrase an old saying, "It is just a blessed
(and appropriate) to receive as to give." In that spirit,
GIVE YOURSELF SOME KIND OF SPECIAL GIFT during the
holidays. You might try to imagine something which
your loved one would have given you or done for you
if he or she were here, and do that for yourself.
6. HAVE SOME PHOTO ALBUMS OUT, including pictures
of holidays past. Talk with others about the past,
and about what you are feeling now. This will bring
healing and help you to become free to move into the
future. |