Grieving during the holiday’s can be an incredible winding path to navigate.  As the holiday lights twinkle and radios play It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year on repeat, those whose hearts are breaking find themselves trying to survive while seemingly swimming upstream.  This year, with the additional challenge and isolation of a global pandemic, the holiday’s look and feel very different.  A Memory Grows believes that we are stronger together.  We know that the journey of grief after the death of a child can be the loneliest road, we want you to know that you are not alone.  Below you will find additional resources that are meant to be tools to navigating this season.  We would love for you to join us for one of our A Memory Grows December Community and Support Groups which can be found here:  https://amemorygrows.org/community-and-support/.  If you find yourself needing extra support during this season, please ask for help.  We are here and if we cannot provide the support you need, please know we will help you find it.  You do not have to travel alone.  It is our honor to walk the journey with you and to remember, speak your child’s name and carry on their legacy.

Even in this season where grief often feels so raw, we hope that there will be moments of light where the love that carries on surrounds you and you are filled with memories of goodness and the bond that you continue to share with your child.

Articles

Dealing with the Loss of a Child Through the Holidays: A Grief Counselor Responds
https://globalgenes.org/2013/12/24/dealing-with-the-loss-of-a-child-through-the-holidays-grief-counselor-responds/

Grief and the Holidays
https://grief.com/grief-the-holidays/

64 Tips for Grief at the Holidays
https://whatsyourgrief.com/64-tips-grief-at-the-holidays/

What Mentally Strong People Don’t Do: How to Deal with Grief During the Holidays
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201512/how-deal-grief-during-the-holidays%3famp

Grateful and Grieving
https://abedformyheart.com/grateful-and-grieving/

Groups

M.E.N.D.
(Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death)
www.mend.org

Compassionate Friends
www.compassionatefriends.org

Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas
https://www.sccenter.org/programs-and-services/survivors-of-suicide/

Team Mercy
Support for Grieving Siblings
www.teammercy.org

Faith & Grief Ministries
www.faithandgrief.org
Memorial Arch at Klyde Warren Park, Dallas – November 29- December 20

Journey of Hope
www.johgriefsupport.org

The W.A.R.M. Place
www.thewarmplace.org

Community Healthcare of Texas
Holiday Grief Support for Adults and for Families with Children
www.griefcarechot.org

Books

  • Beyond Tears: Living After Losing a Child was written by Ellen Mitchell. This book is meant to give guidance and comfort to bereaved parents. Beyond Tears is written by nine mothers who have each lost a child. This revised edition includes a new chapter written from the perspective of surviving siblings.
  • Healing a Parent’s Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas After Your Child Dies was written by Alan D. Wolfet Ph.D. This book presents simple yet highly effective methods for coping and healing. It helps provide answers and relief to parents trying to deal with the loss of a child and offers 100 practical, action-oriented tips for embracing grief.
  • Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child was written by Gary Roe. This book is heartfelt, easy-to-read and an intensely practical book. It explains the powerful impact that a child’s death can have – emotionally, mentally, physically, relationally and spiritually.
  • Getting Grief Right by Patrick O’Malley
  • Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore