Around the holidays many of us miss our loved ones that passed away, reminiscing on the holidays we spent together and wishing they were here this year. In our community, many had to leave everything back and leave their country for socioeconomic reasons and more recently due to natural disasters.
If you are feeling down as you think of the holidays, know you are not alone. It is very likely that the person next to you feels the same as the holiday blues are very common. So share your feelings with someone, and allow them to support you and care for you. Take time to honor the memories of those that passed but also allow yourself to enjoy those around you. It is always a good idea to find start a new tradition or activity for the holidays.
If you are new to the area try to find out about activities that are traditional in the area. Ultimately remember that time will pass and with time it will be easier to deal with the pain of the loss. It is a good time to teach younger generations about family traditions, including traditional recipes and music you enjoyed growing up. We all have our ups and downs and it is healthy to acknowledge the sadness around this time. However, try to take time to be happy and enjoy this time of the year!
By Gigi Reyes
