For those of us who are grieving, the holidays can be challenging. Yearning memories, I-wish-I-had’s, and loneliness can all be more strongly felt.

Other people seem cheerful, happily planning holiday delights, and we, the grievers or caregivers, are reminded of what we don’t have, of what we’ve lost or are losing.

What to do? Write your special person a letter. Put your feelings, your sadness and your thoughts on paper. Burn the letter and scatter the ashes to the wind. Let your grace in moving through these holidays be the gift of love you give to your person.

Joy is where we make it. Joy does not take away from feelings of loss. Joy is the salve that soothes the scars that dying and death create.

I am holding all of you in my thoughts as we walk through this time together. 

Blessings,

Barbara

Originally Published on https://bkbooks.com/blogs/something-to-think-about

Barbara Karnes Registered Nurse

Barbara Karnes, RN Award Winning End of Life Educator, Award Winning Nurse, NHPCO Hospice Innovator Award Winner 2018 & 2015 International Humanitarian Woman of the Year

While at the bedside of hundreds of people during the dying process, Hospice Pioneer Barbara Karnes noticed that each death was following a near identical script. Each person was going through the stages of death in almost the same manner and most families came to her with similar questions. These realizations led Barbara to sit down and write Gone From My Sight, "The Little Blue Book" that changed the hospice industry.