Coping With Loss On Christmas

Christmas is a great time to reflect on family, fun, and traditions. It is one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy Christmas first because we honor and celebrate Christ being born and his loving sacrifice on the cross so we may have a chance to be with him in heaven eternally. Beyond this, I love this holiday because it allows families to come together and spend one full day over good food, fellowship such as a church service, and watching holiday sports. Finally, I enjoyed this day because my family loves spending quality time and being intentional about the moments we share. It can consist of being in the kitchen preparing meals, watching Christmas movies, or playing NFL and NBA holiday games.

This year has been quite different for my family. This was our first Christmas without our dear and incomparable grandma Edna. She was indeed a gem of a lady and our family glue.
I really miss her, and talking about her in her absence really gets to me sometimes.

Holidays can be difficult for families because they remind them that certain people are no longer here. I had a few moments where it hit me that she wasn’t here with us, but I felt better letting the tears out and reflecting on who she is and is to me. Christmas is a great holiday for children. As an adult, it’s a holiday to be grateful for being alive.

I am reminded of her recipes, collard greens, macaroni, baked chicken, and so many other dishes. I am thankful that we all still have a lot of her recipes, and she spent time showing us how to prepare many different meals. She would cook some the night before and, of course, the morning as the Macy’s day parade would air on the television.

My advice for anyone experiencing profound loss or first loss during the holidays is to take deep breaths and try to honor your loved ones as they were. If they love cooking or laughing, try to keep up with the traditions and possibly make some of your own. You can’t give up on life or celebrate holidays because you have lost someone. It is a painful encounter, but it can be therapeutic if you remember them and even reflect on their being.