REMEMBERING a loved one who has died

 

 

 

When my mom died, I really struggled with the grieving process.  I learned that there are five stages to the grieving process. There is no particular order or time for each stage. Sometimes we go through each stage and sometimes we skip stages and sometimes we revisit stages. We each grieve

in our own way and in our own time

so don't compare yourself to others and their grieving process.

 

1.  DENIAL and ISOLATION

2.  ANGER

3.  BARGAINING

4.  DEPRESSION

5.  ACCEPTANCE

 

Learn more here and here about these stages.  If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one I encourage you to look at these two websites they give great information.  Don't be afraid to seek grieving counseling if needed.

I believe in life after death and I believe that God has a plan for us.  Learn more here.  I believe that our loved ones are not far away from us and that they still love us and want us to be happy.  During my grieving process, I learned that I could still remember my mom and loved ones by making them apart of my life.  Here are some things that my family has done to REMEMBER those we love that are in heaven.

1. Decorate their grave.  

Balloons, flowers, wreaths etc. for holidays or other special days .

For my mom's birthday, I let the girls buy their favorite "Birthday" Balloon to give to Grandma.

 

2. Donate to a charity in their name.

Karalee, Brett's Mom and Brett

 

My sister has been on a weight loss journey this past year.  Check out her blog here.  She signed up for a 3K run in honor of my mom when she was in Hawaii called NAMI which stands for

National Alliance on Mental Illness.

3. Eat their favorite dinner or treat.

 

My mom's favorite treat was ice cream especially Starlight Mint and

on her birthday I make Chicken Cordon Blue for dinner. 

 

4. Do what they loved. 

My mom was famous for having fun and not following the rules. 

She was a big kid at heart and always made sure she was having fun with us girls.
 

5. Talk about them and share stories about them.

 

 My girls love to hear stories about my mom.  My sisters are great to also tell them stories when we are together.  Talking about your loved one keeps them apart of your life.  In a video we made for my mom's funeral we used the song Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw.  The line that always strikes me is "I will remember you, Will you remember me?"  I want to always be able to say Yes Mom, I remembered you.

Other Ideas:
Watch Movies about them, display their stuff around your house, look at pictures of them, talk to them as if they were here because they are.

What do you do to REMEMBER your loved one?

Jan