Fall is my favorite time of the year. I enjoy the cooler
weather and the beautiful colors of Mother Nature. Crunching
leaves underfoot, awesome sunsets, and bright full moons.
Soon it will be time to don warm clothes and "snuggle in"
for the cold, snow, and icy days of Old Man Winter.
Before we know it, the holiday season will be here with many
plans to make. Family and friends will be traveling from near
and far to gather around a holiday table a king were surely
envy. Extra hours of cleaning house, hunting up traditional
recipes, and cooking delicious, once-a-year meals will soon
be incorporated into our already busy schedules. Soon, we
will be caught up in the hustle and bustle of buying gifts
to exchange at Christmas and Hanukah. We'll complete the festivities
with the ringing in of yet another New Year. So much excitement
and fun!
What is there to celebrate when someone you love has died?
How can anyone be happy when they are feeling depressed and
lonely? Why should you give thanks when your heart is empty
and you don't seem to have a reason for living? Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and Hanukah? Maybe this year, they should be canceled.
I, for one, would hate to have these important family days
erased from the calendar. Perhaps we should turn every day
into days of thanksgiving. Let us begin this year to focus
our attention on the true meaning of the holidays. Somewhere
along the way, our society has chosen a path that puts too
much emphasis on the material things in life rather then the
richness of our own personal gifts.
Perhaps a child has died. Maybe, for you, it was a spouse,
parent, friend, or relative. What is there to be thankful
for this holiday season? Give thanks for the life this special
person lived. Give thanks for the love that was given and
received. Give thanks for memories of days together: laughing
times and crying times, of good days and bad, of celebrations
and holidays past.
This year when we gather on Thanksgiving Day, let us remember
those who have died. Celebrate their life by sharing memories.
Mention them by name. Tell stories of special times together.
Yes, there is sadness in remembering, but joy in knowing they
will always live in our hearts. Memories are forever! They
can never be taken away.
When we are grieving, we must remember to be thankful for
our friends. They bring comfort to our hearts and give us
many warm hugs to lift our spirits. We should be grateful
for tears and sobs that help to remove the pain from within.
For pictures and mementos of our loved one that give us something
tangible to hold. For the lessons learned on our journey through
grief.
On a personal note, I have many blessings to be thankful
for this year. I give thanks for my family and friends. I'm
thankful for sunny days, quiet hours, and my co-workers. For
all the families and professionals who have placed their trust
in me to help them understand and cope with their many losses.
I thank God for the special people in my life who have given
me love and hugs during my recent grief journey. I am especially
thankful for my sister, Anita, and her family who sacrificed
so much to provide a loving environment for our mother so
that she would not suffer and die alone. My memories of the
times I shared with mom before her death, although painful
at times, will be forever in my heart. For this, I am most
thankful.
