Posts Tagged ‘comfort’
Remember Me Offers Hope and Inspiration during the Holiday Season
Embracing the Christmas Holidays While Honoring Loss
The Christmas holidays are a time of joy, warmth, and togetherness. The twinkling lights, the aroma of baked goods, and the sound of laughter fill our homes and hearts. It’s a season that brings people closer, celebrating love and creating lasting memories. However, for many, the holidays can also be a poignant reminder of those we have lost. Amidst the festive cheer, there can be moments of deep reflection and sorrow, as we remember those who are no longer with us.
Navigating the holidays after losing a loved one can be challenging. The traditions and celebrations that once brought joy may now feel incomplete. It’s essential to acknowledge these feelings and find ways to honor the memories of those we miss. Here are a few heartfelt quotes to offer comfort and solace during this time:
“Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch.” – Jack Thorne
- This quote reminds us that the essence of our loved ones lives on in our hearts and memories.
“What is lovely never dies, but passes into other loveliness.” – Thomas Bailey Aldrich
- Reflecting on the enduring beauty of our loved ones’ spirits can bring peace and a sense of continuity.
“Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.” – Author Unknown
- Finding comfort in cherished memories can help ease the pain and bring a sense of closeness.
“Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.” – Anne Roiphe
- Embracing the process of grief as a journey towards healing can be a powerful way to honor the past while moving forward.
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” – Author Unknown
- Treasuring the memories of our loved ones can keep their spirit alive during the holidays.
As we gather with family and friends this Christmas, let’s create space for both joy and remembrance. Lighting a candle, sharing stories, or dedicating a moment of silence can be meaningful ways to honor those we miss. By acknowledging our grief and cherishing our memories, we can find a balance that allows us to celebrate the present while holding the past close to our hearts.
May this holiday season bring you comfort, peace, and the warmth of cherished memories.
For those of you who have a Facebook page, here are a few Facebook Timeline Covers that we posted on our Facebook page. Please feel free to use either one for your timeline cover.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you loved one’s memories fill your hearts and your home this Holiday Season. God Bless You.
Warmest Regards,
Debbie
A Memorial Garden Brings Comfort
Spring is in the air, and this time each year, I think of those who are grieving and anticipating the hope that only Spring can bring! I always encourage anyone who has lost a loved one, or a treasured pet, to consider creating a Memorial Garden in their backyard. This is not only a great idea for just about anyone, but children can find so much peace having their own space to reflect on their memories. Children also love coming up with ideas and actually participating in the process of planting a Memorial Garden.
Memorial Garden Stones come in many different shapes, sizes and price ranges. They can be personalized with a name or sentiment. These Memorial Garden Stones can be added to an existing garden or landscape creating a subtle sentiment. Also, Memorial Garden Benches are becoming increasingly popular as they are incredibly functional and can be engraved with a personal sentiment.
Personalized Memorial Wind Chimes offer a beautiful sound along with an inscribed personal message. As with the memorial stones, these can also be added to an existing garden or are well suited to hang on a front or back porch. Memorial Wind Chimes are my personal favorite, as I’m hard pressed to come up with a more soothing memorial.
A Memorial Garden is not complete without beautiful flowers. Below is a list of the different flowers and their meaning (those best suited for a memorial garden):
Aracia – eternal love
Aloe – grief
Anemone – resurrection
Aster – God’s grace, love, blessings
Balm – sympathy
Bellflower – “thinking of you”
Cypress – mourning, sorrow
Daffodil – resurrection
Forget-me-nots – memories
Fuchsia – harmony, healing for those who grieve, angels
Geranium – comfort
Honeysuckle – devoted affection, bonds of love
Impatiens – patience, steadfastness, loving-kindness
Jasmine – peace, goodwill, and healing
Lavender – devotionLily – faith, grace, and spiritual healing
Marigold – pain and grief
Peonies – thoughts of the past, memories
Poppies – eternal sleep, consolation
Tulips – faith, hope, and charity
Verbena – peace
Violets – shyness, humility, quiet joy, tender thoughts, gentle love
Rosemary – remembrance
Thyme – peace
White Lilac – youthful innocence, memories
I hope you found some inspiration to get started on your Memorial Garden this spring!
Warmest Regards,
Debbie
Are You Stressed or Depressed this Holiday Season?
OK, take a deep breath and a moment to help yourself find a way to deal with the stress, and sometimes depression, that will hit you during the next few days. Our Christmastime mentality puts us in high gear to have the Norman Rockwell family get-togethers with all the trimmings!
We set ourselves up for disappointment with such expectations! Years ago, I read an article that touched on this subject. I can sum up what I learned from this article in one sentence: Instead of trying to realize all of your expectations, just look for that moment or two that you can carry in your heart for years to come. I actually have practiced this philosophy for many years. I have a memory full of these moments!
We tend to miss what we don’t have. Unfortunately, we all are missing someone on Christmas. Many of us yearn for the presence of that special person who has passed away. I know I do. Sometimes, it seems impossible to get past this feeling. But, you can try…
Our memories are the most priceless gift that we possess. Take a moment to open up this gift and allow the memories to bring you comfort. Talk about them… chances are, others will treasure them as much as you do.
How Can We Help Those Grieving this Holiday Season?
Halloween has passed and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We all know what that means! Christmas will, once again, sneak up on us. Unfortunately, so many of us wish we could just skip over this holiday season. Why?
It is incredibly sad that many are dreading this holiday season due to the passing of a loved one. As many of you, I have personally witnessed a number of families struggles through Christmas… holding back the tears while putting a smile on their face as to not affect everyone else’s Christmas holiday. Through these experiences, this appears to be the biggest obstacle:
People do not know how to react or what to say: Do we mention how we miss that person who has passed away? How will that make those grieving feel? Is it better just to ignore the topic in order to prevent sadness?
This is my personal opinion: They are already deeply saddened. There is nothing we can do or say that will make them feel any worse… well, maybe there is… avoiding the topic. They want to feel as though their loved one’s memory is still very much a part of the holiday season.
As I mentioned, this is my personal opinion due to my unfortunate experiences. I can very well be wrong. Please share your feeling or thoughts on this difficult topic. Perhaps we can make someone’s holiday season a bit less painful.