The song says “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” But, for some, the holiday season is a tough time, especially if you’re coping with the loss of a loved one.
Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care is hosting an event on Sunday, Dec. 4 for those who are grieving.
Retired grief counsellor Dawn Cruchet is organizing the event, called Help for the Holidays. The event will offer people a chance to make a “memory ornament” in honour of a loved one.
Cruchet says it’s important to realize that everyone grieves in their own way.
“There are no rules in grief,” she says. “There is no time limit in grief; you’re never going to get over it, so don’t make that be your goal.
“The best you can do is adjust. (People who are grieving) just need validation that where they are is ok. If they don’t want to have a turkey or go out, that’s just as ok as if you want to go to a church service or singalong. Whatever you need to do is ok.”
Cruchet also says that often people’s grief intensifies over the holidays, because long-held family traditions get up-ended. So talking about how to go forward can be helpful.
“If the person who carved the turkey died, what do you do? Or what do you do with Nana’s stocking (if she has died)?
“What we try to do at Help for the Holidays is throw out ideas for doing things. Maybe the next oldest grandchild can become the carver of the turkey or maybe family members can put a favourite memory into Nana’s stocking.”
The event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Opeongo Seniors Centre at 19 Stafford St. People who wish to attend are asked to RSVP by calling Hospice at 613-756-3045 ext. 350.
