I love this time of year. Love the air, the spirit, just everything about it. But since losing my grandmother last year right after Christmas, this holiday season is hitting a little difference. My mom was out of it all of last December so my whole family decided to make this year the best.
My mom’s favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and my grandmother’s was Christmas, so this is definitely a tricky time right now as the one year anniversary is coming right after. My grandmother would start baking Christmas cookies right after Thanksgiving and freeze 27 different types of cookies so no one would get into them.
My family already decorated the outside, the tree, and hung all the stockings, but something was off. My grandmother was there every single year except for last, but we could still go see her. Coping with her loss has been hard, even a year later. It is even harder this time of year because she was around all the time during the holidays.
Even though it is the first year without my grandmother, I have been preparing myself since last January for this time. I complied a couple of tips on how to get through.
1.Remember the good memories
One of my favorite memories of my grandmother is her sleeping over every Christmas Eve and being there Christmas morning. She would wear her red bear Christmas sweater and just be so happy to be there.
2. Keep mementos close
My dad took some ornaments from her house and we hung them on the tree this year. My siblings and I still have these Santa statues she gave us and always put them out for Christmas
3. Have a support system
Being able to go to my mom or any of my extended family to be able to lean on them has been super helpful. We are all there for each other, especially now to help each other through.