Grief Digest Articles

That time of year is peeking around the corner. Holidays. Although originally created as times of festivity to honor significant dates, people, and times of the year, the holidays can be a source of added stress and anxiety if you are grieving the death of a loved one.Because holidays are often shared with our closest family and friends participating in special traditions, it is exactly this situation that adds additional layers of mixed emotions and stress to the experience. That special perso …

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us. It is no new news that our culture and society tends to focus much attention on the gift-giving aspect of Christmas. The stress and pressure of shopping for the perfect gifts accompanied by overspending is, frankly, exhausting. There is an awkward presence, between the polarities of greed and generosity, which fills the air as we struggle to find our balance and peace in the true meaning of Christmas. Somehow, somewhere, at some time, we mo …

Death often does not make sense, yet it is a part of our existence. Journaling helps process complicated feelings, which accompany the loss of a loved one. You have the freedom to express when you want and how much. Most people who grieve, keep their journal private to ensure they have a safe place to vent about the specific difficulties they face.Some grievers prefer a blank journal to free write, which means writing whatever comes into your mind without censoring it. Others prefer a jour …

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Marketing Christmas has begun. I went to the supermarket the other day, and stockings, Christmas decorations, candy canes and toys for children were placed prominently and strategically in every corner of the store. Not surprising, Thanksgiving has not yet arrived.After the loss of my son, I didn’t have time to grieve on Christmas. We have our grandson every December, and it’s important to keep the season magical for him. Children are also the reason for the season.I do weep in front of Louie be …