It's not always a time of cheer. The holidays can be difficult when you are dealing with loss.
TRAVERSE CITY -- UpNorthLive's Facebook fans voted to hear more about how to handle grief during the holiday season.
Health officials warn the holidays can bring back vivid memories of family times, which can impact anyone dealing with loss, even if a lot of time has passed.
"We can mentally conjure up the aromas, sounds, and flavors of the holiday," said Lisa Ashley, President and CEO of the Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. "The best single principle for coping with this time of year after a loss is to think carefully and consider what practices will be maintained and kept and which will be changed or eliminated."
Munson Hospice grief coordinator, Patti Amalfitano suggests it is possible to experience the holiday season with new meaning and with a renewed sense of hope for a time when the pain of grief will be muted and when the possibility of a full life is reopened.
"There is no timetable for grieving. Grief typically becomes less painful over time. It can resurface form time-to-time, especially around the holidays or anniversaries," explained Amalfitano. "It also can sneak up on you when you're not expecting it."
Munson Hospice helps people through the grieving process. It provides grief support activities for children, adults and families. Below is a list of support groups available.
Adult Grief:
Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm, Munson Hospice House
Tuesdays, 10-11:30am Traverse City Senior Center
Tuesdays, 1-3pm, Congregational Church in Benzonia
Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm, Traverse City Friends Church
Children's Grief:
Munson's Art Therapy program uses art, music, drama, and play to help children and adolescents cope with the loss of a loved one or a life-threatening illness of their own or a family member. For more information contact Barbara McIntyre at 231-935-8482.
Loss of a child:
The group Compassionate Friends meets the second and fourth Mondays from 7-8:30pm in the Munson Community Health Center, Room E. Individual and family counseling is also available.
More information on Munson programs can be found by clicking here or calling 1-800-252-2065.
Michael's Place in Traverse City also helps people dealing with grief. Michael's Place is a non-profit organization providing support and advocacy for grieving children, teens, adults and families.
On the second Thursday of each month, Michael's Place offers grieving children, teens, adults and families the opportunity to create any one of several items to remember a loved one who has died. The items include a memory quilt, a memory box, memory pillow or even a stuffed animal.
More information on support groups and events at Michael's Place can be found by clicking here. You can also call Michael's Place at 231-947-6453.
You can get more help in dealing with grief during the holidays by clicking on this link.
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