As we approach the holiday season, grief can reveal itself in new and painful ways. While acknowledging this, we also encourage you to reconnect with old friends and family and find little ways to spread joy, no matter how small. Because through spending time with those we love we hope to find peace and spread it to others.
Here at Conroy Tully-Walker, we understand that the holidays can be a particularly challenging time for those who are experiencing the loss of a loved one. The holiday cheer in the air may only highlight your grief, or remind you of previous holidays spent with the one you’ve lost. Rituals that you might have looked forward to before losing a loved one are now solemn reminders of their absence.
Grieving isn’t a process that can be rushed, and it often comes in waves. We understand this more than most. Whether it’s been years, months or days since a loss, we know that grief can strike at any time, sometimes when you least expect it. Time is a precious thing, and even though you may experience a loss we encourage you to find ways, no matter how small, to take advantage of the precious time you have now by reaching out to those you love.
An often overlooked way of celebrating the time we have now is to reconnect with family members or friends you might have lost touch with in recent years. You might be surprised by how meaningful it is to be reminded of the love of a family member and how satisfying it can be to rekindle a once-lost connection. Something as simple as a phone call, or text or letter, asking how someone is can make all the difference in your relationship.
Although nothing can act as a cure for the pain of losing someone close to you, in spreading peace to others, there is the hope of receiving peace for you as well. It may seem exhausting to reach out to others during the grieving process, surrounding yourself with those who care about you is one of the best ways to care for yourself.
Don’t worry about overextending yourself and being more outgoing than you’re capable of; a little goes a long way and hopefully, those you reach out to will understand the place you’re in. If you express the grief you’re experiencing, people may respond with a surprising amount of compassion.
At Conroy Tully-Walker, we hope to walk with you through the process of honoring the life of a loved one. Continue to follow us and to engage with the community we have cultivated of people going through similar experiences. This holiday season, we wish you peace, joy and quality time spent with family and friends.