| It's Christmas time, songs on the radio, lights on | | | | next year you can be there. You might want to |
| the houses, stores all packed with people, children | | | | plan a special dinner and exchanging of gifts when |
| are getting anxious and yet, your feeling sad. This | | | | you get back, celebrate the holiday twice! |
| is going to be your first Christmas without a | | | | If this holiday season is your first without a loved |
| special loved one. This may due to divorce, work, | | | | one you have lost to heaven, no one can |
| or even sadly death. What can you do to get | | | | sympathize more than me on this one. This can |
| through the holidays and snap yourself out of the | | | | truly be hardest thing that you ever have to |
| feelings you are experiencing? | | | | experience. Remember, you have every right to |
| If you just recently got divorced and are facing | | | | feel the way you do and if you are in the middle |
| your first holidays without your husband/wife you | | | | of the grief process trying to expedite it will not |
| may feel as if you are not a whole person right | | | | make it any better. It is normal to feel this sense |
| now. There might be children involved and you | | | | of loss to your family and everyone in your |
| were a married person with a family. Now, you | | | | family is feeling the same way. Many may try to |
| are back in the single life and not quite sure | | | | act as if they are past it and yet, deep down this |
| where you place is. Depending on your relationship | | | | really is not possible. How I got through this one |
| with your ex-husband/wife remember they are | | | | was to do everything I could to still feel that the |
| going through the same things you are. Make sure | | | | person I lost was still here. Still hang their stocking, |
| you surround yourself with family and friends. | | | | fill it with things they liked, buy an ornament, put |
| They understand what you are going through and | | | | their picture in it and hang it proudly on your tree. |
| leaning on them during this time will help hold you | | | | It is normal to feel sad, but remember and |
| up. If you have children, think of what they are | | | | cherish those who are still here with you and hold |
| experiencing without their parents together this | | | | onto them tight. These people need you just as |
| Christmas. As hard as it might be try to not be | | | | much as you need them and sharing in this will |
| selfish and think only of yourself. | | | | help you get through the days ahead. |
| If you have to be away from your loved ones | | | | As you move through this Christmas without you |
| this holiday season because of work, realize how | | | | for whatever reason you may have this year, |
| lucky you truly are. While so many families are | | | | focus on the true meaning of Christmas, sing a |
| experiencing job loss, layoffs or just lack of | | | | long with the songs on the radio, lets face it we all |
| finding work this year, you have something to be | | | | know everyone by heart. Its okay to laugh, |
| so thankful for. This is not to say that just | | | | laughter is truly the best medicine there is to all of |
| because you have work that you would not miss | | | | us. Cry, there is nothing wrong with tears and |
| your family or have an easy time away from | | | | they do help to strengthen you. Get up and |
| them during the holiday season. Talk to your | | | | dance, another wonderful way to feel emotion. |
| family as often as possible. If at all possible use a | | | | Remember, you are lucky to be alive, take each |
| Webcam to be able to see them and speak to | | | | day as the gift it truly is, for life truly is a |
| them as if you are in the same room. With all luck | | | | wonderful gift we all have been given. |