Itâs the most wonderful time of the yearâat least, thatâs what the song tells us. And for many, the holiday season with its lights, decorations and gift-giving is indeed a source of joy and merriment to be shared with family and friends. But for others, it can bring immense pain, only accentuating the feelings of loss over a loved one who is no longer present.
âItâs traditionally a joyful time of the year, a time of celebration. But for lots of us, it s also a time when we re grieving,â says Katie McCarthy, manager of the Grief Counseling Center at Hosparus Health, which has been serving families in Kentucky and Southern Indiana since 1978. âIt s a time of memories for everybody. If we ve lost a loved one to death in the last year, we really are also experiencing memories as a time of grieving. It s very bittersweet.â