Believe in the Spirit of the Season

Celebrate with hope and wonder and believe in the spirit of the season!
I understand that the holiday season is often bittersweet when someone you love dearly has died.  Remember to take good care of yourself during this time of the year and to participate in the festivities as much or a little as you want.  Sometimes we fill every hour of every day to distract us from our grief and don't realize that it can lead to an emotional meltdown after the distractions are gone. Know your limitations.


There's a before our loved one was taken from us and then there are the days, months and years since he or she has been gone.  Instead of moving us through predictable phases, grief propels us forward and backward with good days and bad.  But grief makes room for happiness too. For what is missing someone but remembering the things we loved about them and the experiences we shared.  But grief takes us on a journey through our past and is there as we embark on a present and a future without our loved one.  Luckily, we do not have to make this journey alone, for grief also makes room for fellowship.


I leave you with a poem that I have read often:
Remembrance
You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all he left.


Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full of the love you shared.  


You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.


You can remember him and only that he's gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.


You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what he'd want:  Smile, Open Your Eyes and Go on.
~Author Unknown




Remember ~ when you can't sleep don't count sheep, talk to the Shepherd


Wishing you Peace and Joy this Christmas!
~Paula