Christmas 2011
On this Christmas evening, I’m sitting with my family all relaxing together after a memorable day and eve. We’ve shared wonderful food, delicious desserts, fun gifts and so much laughter our sides hurt. There is something about spending time with my family when we goof around with each other, making each other scream and double-over [...]
First Christmas Without Your Loved One
After the death of someone close, no one holiday is more difficult to endure than Christmas. Everyone around us is in the holiday spirit, buying gifts, decorating trees, baking cookies, arranging tables for dinner, cooking delicacies and family-guarded secret recipes. And while you may be participating in body, your soul just isn’t into it this [...]
This Wonderful Christmas Day 2008
So here I am in Florida visiting with parents, family and friends in from all around the United States. It’s a wonderful time for my family. The decorations in this magical house are courtesy of my sister-in-law, Katie who makes her home so inviting. Little white lights, red ribbons, and ornaments everywhere. Even the little [...]
Shopping and Grieving During the Holidays
One of the most stressful parts of the Christmas, Hanukkah and the holiday season is shopping for gifts but when you’ve experienced a loved one’s death, it seems almost unbearable. Family and friends are still expecting their gifts and it is difficult, especially for little ones, to comprehend that somehow you decided to sit out [...]
After the Family Meeting
So you’ve gathered everyone together and you’ve courageously listened to all the viewpoints about whether to ‘Christmas or Not to Christmas’. You got more than you bargained for…some want the whole works, some want a condensed version, some want nothing at all. Now what? It’ll be somewhere in the middle. Those who want it all, [...]
