Grief During Holidays [2024 Repost]

[00:00:34] Hello and welcome to MoMo634, Motivational Moments, just for today.

[00:00:40] I've mentioned throughout our journey together that this podcast was born in the midst of grief.

[00:00:49] After sustaining losses rapid fire, one after another, I was emotionally battered and numb,

[00:00:57] and I could feel myself spiraling into a depressive episode.

[00:01:00] This past week, I lost two more friends.

[00:01:06] I hurt for the families of these friends because not only have they suffered devastating losses,

[00:01:13] but right before major holidays, generally a time when loved ones gather together.

[00:01:21] How can you even attempt to celebrate in the midst of loss?

[00:01:27] After the loss of the child who would have been our second born, we celebrated my due date

[00:01:33] for a number of years with a special dinner.

[00:01:37] Additionally, as a knitter, I poured myself into really special yarns and made myself a shawl

[00:01:45] to wear on what would have been my due date and on Mother's Day and any other time I needed

[00:01:52] a hug to wrap myself in.

[00:01:56] For nearly a decade after the loss of my mom, we went to dinner at her favorite restaurant

[00:02:02] on her birthday.

[00:02:04] Here are some other things to consider and ways to honor your loved one.

[00:02:11] Keep in mind that your loved one would not want you to grieve to the point that you're not

[00:02:17] mentally present with your family as hard as it will be to focus.

[00:02:23] If you had family traditions with your loved one, keep them.

[00:02:28] Our bonus episode over the weekend was about legacy.

[00:02:33] Traditions are passed down from generation to generation and are great ways to keep memories alive.

[00:02:41] The military has a really special tradition of setting a table for those who have lost their lives in combat.

[00:02:50] If it's a recent loss, consider a place setting with a special place card and a special plate to represent their seat at the table.

[00:03:01] If time has passed since your loss, perhaps a special photo on the mantle or ornaments you only bring out once a year.

[00:03:11] Share memories with your family.

[00:03:13] Keep the memories alive by passing down the oral tradition to the next generation.

[00:03:20] These are just a few ideas and you can make your own tradition to honor your loved one's memory.

[00:03:27] It's going to be hard, but we can do hard things.

[00:03:33] Time may not actually heal the wound, but it does make it more bearable.

[00:03:41] Philippians 4.13 says,

[00:03:43] I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

[00:03:48] More comforting words are found in 2 Corinthians 1.3-5.

[00:03:55] Our meme for today says,

[00:03:58] Who better to comfort us in the midst of overwhelming grief than the one who also experienced the loss of a beloved son?

[00:04:08] I pray for your comfort during this season.

[00:04:13] If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and share it with others.

[00:04:19] You can get the companion meme daily at momo634.substack.com.

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[00:04:38] Momo 634 is also on major podcast platforms and on social media.

[00:04:43] See the tab at momo634.substack.com.

[00:04:49] Thank you for listening to Momo 634.

[00:04:53] Motivational moments just for today.

[00:04:56] Momo 634.