• You should not be alone during the holidays.

• Love does not end with death. Your relationship with your loved one continues.

• You need to talk about your grief. Don’t be afraid to share what you think, feel & need during the holidays.

• You need to know & honor your limitations during special days. Set your expectations low…not too high.

• You should eliminate unnecessary stress. Build in time for yourself & your needs.

• You need to be with supportive, comforting people. Limit your time with people who are difficult to deal with or who cause you stress.

• You have an emotional need to mention the name of the person who has died.

• You need to tell others what is right for you during the holidays…what is comforting & what is painful.

• You should plan ahead for gatherings.

• You ought to embrace your treasure of memories.

• You should reflect on why you & others celebrate these special days. Make them filled with meaning & purpose.

• You should depend upon the resources available to you through your faith.

• Mourning in a healthy way during the holidays will help you heal & move toward reconciliation.

Written by Larry M. Barber, LPC-S, CT author of the grief survival guide “Love Never Dies: Embracing Grief with Hope and Promise”  available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Christianbook.com.

The grief survival guide is also available in Spanish as “El Amor Nunica Muere: Aceptando el Dolor con Esperanza y Promesa” on Amazon.com.

FOR INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING COUNSELING SERVICES WITH LARRY BARBER  https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/team/larry-m-barber-ma-lpc-s-ct/