I opened Facebook this week, and it didn’t take but a couple of swipes to see a pattern.
The Christmas season is upon us, and with the joy and anticipation, there are many people feeling heavier emotions as the day of wonder draws near. There are people having their first Christmas since the death of someone they love, and there are people who years later are still feeling the sting of someone’s absence.
For those who have lost a loved one, the celebration of Christmas will always have painful spaces that are difficult to fill. There will be an empty stocking, a missing ornament, a lonely heart. Please don’t ignore what is all around you; you can help make the holidays more bearable for grieving hearts. Help them remember, say their names, do something to let them know their loved ones are not forgotten.
We are all trying to find ways to include our people, even when they’re no longer here. Knowing that our family and friends remember our loss is a healing part of moving through grief.
Take the time to think through your friend list today, see who you can reach out to with a bit of encouragement as you remind them that you see their grief, remember their loved ones, and choose to help fill those empty spaces during this time of year.
Please leave me a comment, it lets me know you’re listening!
Choosing Hope 