Should 'Ole Acquaintance Be Forgot?

Happy New Year!

I found myself remembering great times of holidays past and really listening to Auld Lang Syne this year. The song poses a good question: should we remember or forget those who are no longer a part of our current experience?

When it comes to grief, I think the distance time places between our loss and our memory is a good thing. But we never forget our experiences with the deceased or how they have influenced us to be who we are today. And I am grateful for that.

So how can we sooth the emotions of loss at this time of new beginnings?

Try giving yourself 15 minutes each day to journal your thoughts and memories. Take note of what pieces of the past you want to incorporate into your future year and what it will take to make that happen.

And then take action! It may mean that you have a conversation with a family member or buy your deceased loved one's favorite flower in memory of them today. Whatever it takes to let go of the still-painful feelings, commit to doing some little thing about it today.

And have the best of New Years that you can have.