You can still celebrate LOVE on Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day GHN members!

I realize you probably don’t feel like there’s anything to celebrate if you’re still grieving the loss of a loved one.  All holidays were bittersweet the first few years after my husband passed away.  But I had to put on a happy face for my young son; I didn’t want to rob him of his joy.  Losing his father at 4 years old was hard enough, I tried to surround him with as much love and laughter as I could manage or pretend.  There’s a saying, “Fake it until you make it!”  Taking the time to honor your feelings of grief is important.  But sometimes putting on a happy face, even if you don’t feel like it, can be the best medicine.  I dare you to play the song, “HAPPY!” by Pharrell Williams and not jump up out of your chair dancing with a big smile on your face.  Try it!  And get back to me with your results.

Can you think of other friends and family members that you love and celebrate Valentine’s Day with them?  It’s a universal holiday to celebrate all different kinds of love.  My son, sister and I are going to spend the night at a lovely resort & spa and just focus on having fun with each other.  Always having something to look forward to helps in the recovery process.  What can you think of doing differently this year?  The following article gives some great suggestions:

http://www.guideposts.org/positive-thinking/coping-valentines-day-if-grieving-loved-one

At Grief Hope Network, we recognize there are several ways to help you feel better in the grief recovery process. Many people don’t feel comfortable in sharing their feelings with people they don’t know in traditional counseling sessions. As part of your online grief support, you can connect and communicate with other members at www.GriefHopeNetwork. I hope you enjoy this message; post your comments in the Chat Room, Discussion Forum or Member Blogs.  Please reach out to other members for support there and share your thoughts and feelings as well.  Please let us know if the member grief blogs and online grief discussion forums are helpful.  I pray this site provides you Help for Today & Hope for Tomorrow.

Gratefully,

Judy Davidson

Founding Member

Grief Hope Network