It’s hard to believe two weeks from tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I feel like we just celebrated the 4th of July. Whew!
One of our local radio stations has already started playing Christmas music, the stores are decorated and Christmas commercials are everywhere. The next seven weeks will be filled with families getting together, lots of eating, decorating, shopping, gift wrapping, caroling and the list goes on.
For many, including myself, if you’ve lost a loved one the holidays can be difficult. I miss my Mom everyday but during this time of the year I miss her even more. Mom made the holidays special!
The day after Thanksgiving is especially hard because we always went shopping together. We would play Christmas music, shop, laugh and drink hot chocolate.
The holidays have changed for me since Mom passed away but I’m trying to find blessings in the changes.
Here are 5 Ways to Embrace the Holidays after the Loss of a Loved One:
1. Reminisce about your past holidays.
I love remembering all the fun we had with Mom at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mom did some hillarious things during the holidays, and we laugh all the time when we think about them.
2. Don’t expect things to be exactly the same.
After losing a loved one things will change. But I have learned to embrace the change and realize that we can still enjoy this time of the year.
3. Make new memories!
We all love family traditions but sometimes we have to create new ones. We have had to do that since we lost Mom but we are making and creating some wonderful new memories.
4. Do for others.
This time of the year offers lots of ways to help people in need. Look for ways to help and give to others and you’ll be blessed.
5. Remember you will get through this with God’s help.
I would not have gotten through Mom’s death without Jesus! Cling to Him and His word.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:1-3
If this is going to be a difficult holiday for you I would love to pray for you. Email me at cyndispivey(at)gmail(dot)com.
Have a blessed day!
Hi Heather! Thank you for stopping by.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a Mom. For me the first Thanksgiving and Christmas was incredibly difficult. It does get easier and like you, I have family, church and friends. Most importantly, Jesus, I could NOT have gotten through it without Him.
So nice to meet a sister in Christ,
Cyndi
Hi Cyndi. I just found your blog thru a pin on Pinterest. I am so glad I found you! After looking thru a few things, I already know I am going to love it. I lost my Mom from cancer in May 2012, just 6 days after Mother’s Day. As you can imagine, its been hard, but I have a wonderful husband, family, church, and friends that have lifted me up when the days get dreary. Thank you so much for your post above, it really helped. God Bless from one Christ follower to another.
Cyndi, Hi. I just wanted to let you know how encouraging and inspiring your blog has been to me. I graduated in the same class as your daughter, Courtney. Unfortunately, I spent the next few years making some stupid decisions. I have since been blessed with with 2 beautiful boys Alex who is 4 and Eli is 8 months old. While I’ve done a lot of growing up since becoming a mother (a single mother at that) I still felt like something was missing. A few months ago, I stumbled across your blog. I spent the next week reading through all of your past posts. The things you shared about your life in His grace inspired me to become reacquainted with God. I was raised in a strong Christian household and somewhere along the way thought I knew ‘better’ than everything I had learned growing up. I have began studying my bible daily again and praying not just in times of need, but in all times, and I feel my soul growing closer to God. So thank you for inspiring me. You are a remarkable Christian woman and I look up to you. Please say a prayer for my boys and I that we continue to grow closer to God and the purpose he created for each of our lives, and thank you also for sharing yourself with me. Have a blessed week!
Hopefullly, Sara
Will be 10 years December 5 since my Dad went home. Miss his presence every day and the affect his loss has had on his grandkids is devestating. The holidays are harder now because we are all so spread out across the country and with him gone no one really feels the need to come home to celebrate the Christmas season any more. My Mom is still living, but doesn’t participate either. Bless you and your family as you continue the process of healing and moving forward with new traditions and old memories.
I can’t imagine being without my mama during the holidays. Praying for sweet memories to flood your heart during this season. Those are great tips you’ve shared.