Holding Space During the Holidays: A Word of Comfort for the Grieving
The holiday season arrives each year with familiar sights and sounds—twinkling lights, favorite songs, family traditions, and gatherings meant to celebrate joy and togetherness. Yet for many, especially those who have experienced a loss this year, the holidays can feel painfully different.
If you are grieving, please know this first: there is no “right” way to move through the holidays. It is okay if your heart feels heavy when others seem cheerful. It is okay if traditions feel comforting—or unbearable. It is okay to participate fully, to step back quietly, or to do something entirely new.
Grief does not follow a calendar. While the world may signal celebration, loss has a way of making its presence known in the empty chair, the missing voice, the familiar traditions that no longer feel the same. These moments can bring waves of emotion—sadness, longing, gratitude, even guilt for moments of joy—and all of them are valid.
For those who are grieving:
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Give yourself permission to set boundaries. You may choose which invitations to accept and which to decline.
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Create space to remember. Lighting a candle, sharing a story, cooking a favorite recipe, or setting aside a quiet moment can be meaningful acts of love.
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Ask for help when you need it. Grief can be isolating, but you do not have to carry it alone.
For those who know someone who has lost a loved one this year:
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Your presence matters more than perfect words. A simple “I’m thinking of you” can mean everything.
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Speak their loved one’s name. Remembrance is often a comfort, not a burden.
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Be patient and gentle. Grief doesn’t end after the funeral—it evolves, often most intensely during seasons like this.
The holidays can still hold meaning, even if they look different than they once did. Meaning may come quietly—in remembrance, in reflection, or in moments of connection that remind us we are not alone.
At this time of year, may we all move a little slower, listen a little more closely, and extend extra compassion—to others and to ourselves. If you are carrying grief this season, please know you are seen, you are supported, and you are not walking this path alone.
If you or someone you love needs support during the holidays, our doors—and our hearts—are always open.
