Grief & gratitude: Honoring both this holiday season.
As we approach Thanksgiving -- a holiday which emphasizes gratitude, warmth, and togetherness -- it's important to also acknowledge a truth many people quietly carry: The holidays can stir up complicated emotions. For some, this season invites joy and connection. For others, it can highlight grief, absence, or memories that feel tender. And for many, it's a mixture of all of it -- gratitude sitting right beside heartache.
If this is your experience, you are not doing the holiday season "wrong." You are human, and your emotional landscape deserves to be honored.
Grief is love that has nowhere to go. Gratitude is love that still has a home. Both belong, both are valid, and both can show up during the holidays in powerful ways. You might feel gratitude for the people around you while missing someone deeply. You may laugh during a family gathering and then cry on the way home. You might want to celebrate and also want quiet.
Let this be your reminder: There is no right way to feel. There is only your way, and it deserves compassion.
Here are a few gentle ways to support your heart and nervous system as the holidays approach:
1. Give yourself permission for mixed feelings. You don't have to choose grief or gratitude. Hold both with kindness. Let your emotions move without judgment or pressure.
2. Create a soft space for reflection. Light a candle for someone you miss. Write them a note. Cook a dish they loved. Honor your relationship in the way that feels most comforting to you.
3. Slow down when you need to. You are allowed to decline invitations, step outside for air, or take a quiet moment. Your emotional well-being matters more than holiday expectations.
4. Lean into support. Talk with someone you trust. Share memories with family or friends. Let your loved ones know what you need -- or don't need -- this season.
Grief softens when it is witnessed. You never have to carry it alone.
On December 4th, our Grief Support Group will focus on the unique challenges and emotions that arise during the holiday season. If you are grieving or supporting someone who is, this group offers a safe, nurturing space to process, connect, and breathe.
Our Grief Support Group meets every other week on Thursdays at 7:15 PM, and it is eligible for full or partial coverage by CareFirst insurance. This group is open to anyone experiencing the loss or anticipatory loss of a loved one. If you would like to join the group or learn more, call us at (410)989-2034 or visit our website.
Wherever you find yourself this holiday season -- grateful, grieving, or somewhere in between -- you belong here. Your feelings matter. Your story matters. And there is support available when you need it.