Page 59 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Getting Through the Holidays

Comfort & Joy
with

by Colleen Eppler

hanksgiving through Keep it simple. Remember.
Valentine’s Day is a magical This is not the year to keep Consider remembering your loved
Tand exciting time of year - everything “just like normal”. Give one intentionally. Some will cook
unless you’re in grief. After a loss, yourself some slack. Unless you a favorite dish of their loved one
what used to be delightful indicators really want to decorate your home, or have an empty chair around the
of the coming season - fragrances, complete with house lights outside dinner table or a candle, representing
foods, winter sweaters, decorations, and the blow-up snowman, try a their life. Do what feels authentic to
parties - all of these can become meaningful bent, such as a small tree, you. Create your own memory - you
landmines of emotion from your last menorah or nativity on your coffee may decide to do it yearly or just this
holiday together with your loved table. first year.
one. Things that used to be fun, like
shopping for the perfect gift for a Consider new traditions. Don’t forget about yourself.
grandchild or friend, now may feel Don’t feel like attending parties? Buy yourself a gift from your loved
overwhelming. Consider helping in a soup kitchen or one. Go ahead - do it!
going out to dinner with a few close
It’s not like you can hide away until friends. Yes, this may be a tearful holiday,
it’s all over. Businesses decorate for but go ahead and embrace the tears.
the holidays as early as October! Instead of spending hours shopping, There will come a year when you
Christmas cards begin greeting give cash or gift cards. It may feel will be able to smile again and your
you in your mailbox, and the sales insincere, (although, who doesn’t memories of past holidays with your
and commercials on television are love gift cards?) but this year, your loved one will overshadow this year.
constant. So, unless you have a energy may need to be more focused. And if you need to talk, someone
life where you can be a bear and Rather than being all things to all will always be there to listen. Find a
hibernate until the spring, you will people, decide what is absolutely good friend or grief counselor who
somehow, someway have to survive necessary and do those few things will walk with you. You can make
the next few weeks. it through these coming weeks with
well. Instead of having the big meal comfort and joy.
Here are some tips to help you at your house, consider bringing the
navigate through the holidays: green-bean casserole and be okay
with having it somewhere else this
year.

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