Grief doesn’t take a break over Christmas and even if it has been years since our loved person died it is often a time that brings to the fore how much they are missed and loved.
A few days ago I shared about welcoming grief with the celebrations and to the table.
If you are missing someone this festive season (or at any significant life celebration for that matter) and wish to bring them a little closer to your heart here are a couple of things you can do.
Things that bring them right there with you.
First suggestion –
Write a Christmas/Solstice/New Year card to them.
It doesn’t have to be for a human. It could be for a companion animal too.
In the card write them a message.
The message can be as long or short as you wish – simply say what you’ve been wanting to say since they’ve not been physically with you in this life.
Write all the things you wished you had said and all the things you’ve been wanting to tell them since their death.
Share any news with them.
Recall special memories.
Tell them how much you love them.
Or, just write something simple such as “I love and miss you”
When you’ve finished, either put it up on display with all your other cards or, perhaps, on your bedside table or pop it in an envelope and keep it somewhere safe to read whenever you want to feel closer to them.
Second suggestion –
Pour two drinks, make two cups of tea or coffee, get 2 plates and pop a mince on each.
Now, set this at the table across from each other or, perhaps, on the coffee table in front of the sofa side by side or by their favourite chair opposite yours.
Now, picture them with you.
Sharing the break in your day.
And go through that same process as with the card.
But speak it aloud.
Share your news with them.
Talk about special memories.
Tell them how much you love them.
And miss them.
All the while drinking your cuppa or sipping your glass of wine and nibbling on your mince pie.
Talk to them as if they were right there sharing this moment.
Whisper a Merry Christmas to them.
These two heart and soul-filled actions are little gifts of connection to that someone, a continuing bond.
You don’t need to do both.
But you can!
Or pick one that best resonates with you.
It can make you feel just that little bit closer to them.
Especially at a time when they may feel so far away or so long gone.
With the tenderest of hearts
Nancy 💗💗💗
Art by Kuroi-kisin
HELD 