Holiday Grief

I've seen alot of posts on facebook from people who are grieving the loss of loved ones during this holiday season. This is the time of year when people feel the absence of lossed loved ones the most. I know for me anRecd my family, it has been very hard since we lost my mom 6 years ago. Since then I've lost an aunt, 2 great aunts and my dad. I went through all the stages of grief. At first, I'd only heard of the five stages... shock/denial, anger, bargaining, guilt and depression/reflection/lonliness. Then I learned there are a few more stages - what is termed the "upward turn". The are reconstruction/working through, acceptance and hope.

This year, I realize that I've worked throught it and am in the acceptance and hope stage. I took a while to get here! I feel for those who have new losses and those who have not yet reached the upward turn. But me? I'm celebrating this year! I'm celebrating that the loved ones that I've lost lived full lives they had love, and they've made the transition that we all have to make at some point in time. I just hope that when I leave this earth, I will have made a positive impact somewhere...