Taking Time to Remember and Celebrate

 

I have a memory of being forced to take a nap on Sunday afternoons. I despised naps! There was only so much time during the day and I prefered to use it playing, not laying in bed!

I remember one such occasion when I was napping in my parents bedroom. I looked out of the window into our backyard and saw my dad stretched out on one of those 70's lawnchairs on our back patio. He was reading a book and looked so relaxed. I did not know how to read but was intrigued. I remember opening his Bible and looking at the words and wishing I knew how to read them. 

Of course, it wasn't too much longer until I knew how to read and it became a beloved pasttime. After my parents passed away, I stepping into Griefshare, which is a course on how to walk through grief with Christ by my side. I was in an online cohort and learned so much from the book, exceptional leaders we had, and the other members of my cohort who were also walking through grief. 

One thing that really stood out to me was that anniversaries of birthdays, my loved one's passing, and holidays can ambush a person with emotions without much warning. Last year, on my dad's birthday (March 27), I did not plan ahead and felt like I was ambushed with emotions on his birthday. It was hard knowing that it was my dad's birthday and I couldn't speak with him. 

In Griefshare, we learned that to plan for these anniversaries can help us prepare and deal with the emotions in a healthy way. Thnking of fun activities (maybe just one) to do in memory of a loved one. This year, it was to sit out on my brother's back deck with my kitty and read a book in the sunshine. It was a blessing to have warm sunshine on my dad's birthday and enjoy a good book. 

If you have lost someone dear to you, have you intentionally planned a small activity to remember your loved one? If so, you are welcome to share in the comments!