We have lots of tips for helping them through a time of year that’s hard for them, but not everyone else. Sara Supporting a loved one who's struggling with loss at the holidays? Every holiday, my mom’s side gathers and we pray the Rosary with these special beads as a way to honor her and carry on her strong faith in our family. I was very close to my grandma, so I received the beads after she passed. This one was created at the Vatican and blessed by the Pope, making it extremely special to her. He was lucky enough to spend some time in Europe and knew she would love them. One of her most prized possessions was a rosary that my uncle (her son) had given her as a gift. And while I do this, I tell funny stories about the Uncle Roger they never got to actually meet, but whose memory is still very much alive.” Of course, I have to position it high enough where our three kids can’t reach it. It was such a touching gesture and something I wouldn’t have thought to include in our holiday traditions at the time because the loss was so fresh and I was simultaneously distracted and preoccupied by new motherhood.īut ever since that Christmas, and every year after that, I hang “Roger’s ornament” in the center of our tree. Shortly after his death, my aunt gave my family an in-remembrance ornament to honor his memory. “Seven years ago, when I was 8 months pregnant with my firstborn, my brother, Roger, unexpectedly passed away. I always come to the same conclusion: Of course he knew. I sometimes wonder if he knew how precious it would be for us to hold these gifts in our hands that were so carefully crafted by his. From simple nativity sets and ornaments to intricate snowflakes and sleighs, we have reminders everywhere of his beautiful workmanship. Today, those gifts are treasures that keep his spirit alive in our homes every Christmas. When he passed away in 2007, we each had a wonderful collection of his work. Later he added sons-in-law and grandchildren to his gift list. Even after his health began to fail, he would go to his workshop every day to make gifts for Mom, my four sisters and me. Inspired? Create and share by tagging dad took up woodworking after he retired. Whether you start a new tradition or continue one started way back when, we hope that you find something here that helps your family pay tribute to those who remain close to your heart. We asked readers to share how they weave memories of loved ones into their holiday traditions. Finding ways to memorialize them during the holidays can help us remember that they’re still with us in spirit. For many of us, Christmas is the time of year when we miss our lost loved ones the most.
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