Now that you have been with us the past few weeks as we presented our series, “Hope during the Holidays: Coping with the Grief of a Life Lost”, you know that there are numerous challenges faced when coping with the loss of a loved one near and during the holidays. Your world has changed. You have learned that you possess no control over the circumstances that have prevailed. You have learned that you DO have control over how you respond to those circumstances. You have been instructed to allow yourself to feel what you feel. You have learned how to face the loss head-on, and the importance of emotional support. This week, you will learn how to externalize the death of your loved one.

The Passage of Time

From a very young age, we have been taught that the holidays are the one time of the year when we spend time with our loved ones. The holidays are a time that actually outlines the passage of time in our lives. The holidays represent certain milestones in each of our lives. It is a time of togetherness. Unfortunately, if someone you love has died, it is difficult to experience that sense of togetherness that you have always felt. It is common to feel sad, angry, lonely, and completely hopeless. When someone special is removed from your life, many wonderful qualities are also removed from your life. Instead of trying to fight the passage of time, focus on appreciating the passage of time and the fact that what has come to be is meant to be….

Externalize the Death of Your Loved One

As the holidays approach, you should not attempt to forget the fact that your loved one has passed on. In fact, you should simply accept the fact that they are, physically, no longer with you. You should create a special way to include them, in spirit, in the celebrations of the season. To externalize your loss is to simply determine the best time and the place to include the memory of your loved one. The following outlines the best examples of externalizing a loss during the holidays:

• If you are about to start a holiday dinner and have the opportunity to say a prayer beforehand, you may include thoughts of the loved one that you have lost in that prayer.
• If you are able to safely do so, you may light a candle in remembrance of your loved one for the holidays.
• When the opportunity arises, you may share a wonderful story about the person that you have lost with others.
• You could encourage everyone to share a funny or memorable event about the loved one that has passed away.
• You could create a tribute to your loved one, such as a Facebook Page or a blog.

In addition to the above-mentioned methods of externalizing the loss of your loved one, you may also create memory jewelry or other keepsakes to keep their memory alive. Examples of these keepsakes include tear bottles, personalized rings, and items that are similar in nature. For more information on items that will help you to externalize your loss, view our products today at the following link: http://tearcatcher.com/