available in HFA's Winter Holiday special issue of Journeys
- This new, expanded special edition of Journeys provides additional support to your clients during the holidays.
- The new, 6-page Winter Holidays Special Issue is packaged in quantities of 50 and 100.
- Order before December 10, 2011 and use discount code wh2011 to receive 20% off.
- BONUS OFFER: Any organization ordering 100 copies or more will receive a FREE download of “Grief, Holidays, and Family Dynamics.” This audio program features expert advice and practical assistance from Dr. Sherry Schachter and Dr. Kenneth Doka, discussing how professionals can better serve grieving families during these difficult times. One hour of CEs is included for a wide range of professionals.
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| Dr. Kenneth J. Doka |
Excerpt:
With the rollercoaster-like emotions of grief, the holidays can be an especially tough time. We remember the Chanukah that Aunt Sophia danced in the snow, the Christmas that we received a bike, the Thanksgiving when the turkey was undercooked. These memories remind us of our loss. Other reminders such as cards addressed to the person who died, holiday movies, gifts that seem perfect, can make us feel out of sorts with the season. Everyone else seems so happy and joyful.
The holidays are a tough time to grieve. Knowing that does not make them any easier, but at least it may help us understand and accept our reactions, and tap into the things we can do to help ourselves cope with the holidays.
CHOOSE
During the holidays it is easy to drift into activities that increase our pain. But we do have choices. We can decide what activities we wish to participate in, who we want to be with, what we want to do. After her husband died, June was invited, actually pressured, to join her sister-in-law for the holidays. She decided that she would retain the freedom to choose where she wanted to be on Christmas until that morning. "I never know how much energy I'll have, or how I feel until that day," she explained. On Christmas morning, she decided to have dinner with a few women she had met in a local widow's support group. She chose to go to her sister-in-law's house for dessert.
One of the choices we may want to consider is how to mark the loss during the holidays. During the holidays we feel the presence of that person's absence. Finding ways to recognize and acknowledge that individual can bring a positive focus to our grief. This may be done in a number of ways -- lighting a candle, creating a ritual, placing a memento on a tree, a moment of silence or a holiday toast are simple ways to acknowledge the loss.
Read more from "Three Cs of Coping with the Holidays" in the Winter Holidays Special Issue of Journeys today.
