A Decembered Grief

by Smith, Harold Ivan

• ISBN13: 9780834118195
• ISBN10: 083411819X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-09-01
• Publisher: Foundry Pub the

Summary

Suffering the loss of a loved one at any time of the year is difficult. Yet, during the holidays or special occasions those grieving experience a more intense sense of loss.With keen perception, A Decembered Grief provides illustrations and insights for those facing grief-impacted holidays and emphasizes God's ability to transform the season into a time of grace and healing.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 9
Introduction	p. 11
Alter--Rather than Abandon--Traditions	p. 16
Anticipate the Holidays	p. 18
Appreciate the Grief Styles and Decisions of Others	p. 20
Ask Your Church for Help	p. 22
Be Alert to the Culture's Obsession with Excitement	p. 24
Befriend Your Grief	p. 26
Befuddle Someone	p. 28
Carolize Your Season	p. 30
Celebrate Sensitively	p. 34
Consider the Needs of Everyone	p. 36
Create New Traditions	p. 38
Create Ornaments or Decorations That Symbolize Your Loved One and Eternal Life	p. 40
Cry If You Want To	p. 42
Define Your Boundaries	p. 44
Do What You Need to Do	p. 46
Donate to Your Church or a Charity in Honor of Your Loved One	p. 48
Don't Fast-Forward to January 5	p. 50
Forgive Those You Believe Are Responsible for the Death	p. 52
Give Your Grief Its Voice	p. 54
Give Yourself Permission to Say, "No," or "I'll Pass"	p. 56
Guard Your Heart	p. 58
Invite God's Help	p. 60
Journal Your Grief	p. 62
Keep the Future in Mind	p. 64
Let Others In on Your Grief	p. 66
Make Gratitude	p. 68
Minimize the Seasonal Stressors	p. 70
Miss the Invitations to Parties and Other Social Events	p. 72
Nap	p. 74
Network with Other Grievers	p. 76
Nurture Yourself	p. 78
Observe a Quiet Holy Day	p. 80
Organize Your Living Environment	p. 82
Prepare	p. 84
Read	p. 86
Remain Open to Seasonal Surprises	p. 88
Remember Realistically	p. 90
Resist the Temptation to Make It Up to Others for What They've Been Through	p. 92
Rethink Your Holiday Shopping Habits	p. 94
Say Your Loved One's Name	p. 96
Toast Your Loved One	p. 98
Try Events	p. 100
Unplug the Christmas Mania	p. 102
Use Some of Your Seasonal Decorations	p. 104
Visit the Cemetery or Scattering Ground	p. 106
Volunteer at a Social Service Agency	p. 108
Vote Your Choices	p. 110
Watch Children	p. 112
Watch Out for Numbing Influences	p. 114
Weigh Any Criticism of Your Grief Style and Holiday Decisions	p. 116
Worship	p. 118
Write a Year-End Letter to Your Deceased Loved One	p. 120
"Yes" Invitations That Feel Right	p. 122
"Zestize" Your Season	p. 124
How to Pray This Holiday Season	p. 126
Conclusion	p. 128
Appendix	p. 131
Works Cited	p. 132
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