Death at any time is sad and difficult to understand. But when someone dies at Christmas -- especially a young boy in a Christmas parade -- it’s a terrible tragedy. Coping with grief over the Christmas holidays can seem unbearable
Nine year old Jordan Hayes was participating in the annual Plant City Christmas Parade float in Florida when his foot got caught in a wheel and he was dragged under the truck. He was run over twice, and died. His cousin Jerry Bridges, who was driving the truck, performed CPR but couldn’t save him.
You're not alone if you’re dealing with death this Christmas, my friend. Here are some suggestions for surviving a holiday tragedy.
How to Cope With Grief During the Holiday Season
Spend time with people who restore your spirits. Grieving at Christmas in a healthy way involves choosing who you most want to be with. Don’t spend time with people who create negative feelings or drain your energy. If you're dealing with death at Christmas, let go of your “should’s” and other people’s expectations. Mourn the way you need to.
Give yourself permission to do less. When someone dies at Christmas, the last thing you need to worry about is sending cards or baking your traditional gingerbread cookies. Grieving at Christmas is about giving yourself more down time – and just doing things that are really important.
Accept help. When you're grieving at Christmas, your friends and family may not know what to do or say. Accept their help at Christmas, whether it’s cleaning your bathrooms or cooking Christmas dinner at their place instead of yours. Grieving at Christmas involves letting others show their love and grief in different ways.
Volunteer. Consider spending your Christmas at a camp for adults with disabilities. Easter Seals Camp Horizon, for instance, needs volunteers every year. Grieving at Christmas may be easier if you focus on helping others.
Let yourself grieve in your own way. Some of us grieve at Christmas by keeping extremely busy, so we have less time to think. Others grieve at Christmas by withdrawing or even leaving the city or country. Whatever your grief process is, accept it. Your heart and soul will tell you what you need to do when someone dies at Christmas. Follow your instincts.
Another way to survive loss at Christmas is to create new Christmas traditions.
If you found How to Cope With Grief During the Holiday Season helpful, you might want to read:
- 10 Ways to Reduce Christmas Stress in Children
- Online Depression Support Groups - What to Look for in a Forum
- 10 Ways to Simplify Christmas
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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