Helping Children, Honoring Loved Ones, and Finding Comfort This Season


Hello Reader,

Sometimes, just surviving the holidays feels like a victory—and that’s the first goal. But my deepest wish for you is that, even in the midst of grief, you find moments to feel the love that remains, and tend to your aching heart with compassion.

As many of you know, my grief journey started when I was just seven years old, right before the holidays. That experience shapes the work I do today. Holiday grief has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I know how hard this season can be.

With that in mind, I’ve continued to add to my Holiday Grief Blog, designed to help you honor your loved one, care for yourself, and find ways to stay connected even when it feels impossible. Here are a few of the new and updated resources:

  1. Heartfelt Ways to Honor Your Loved One at Christmas: Discover meaningful traditions to keep your loved one’s memory alive, from creating memory-filled ornaments to practicing acts of kindness in their honor​.
  2. Holiday Grief Journal Prompts: Tend to Your Love & Your Loss Journaling can be a powerful tool for processing grief. Explore prompts designed to help you express emotions, reflect on memories, and find moments of peace during this emotionally charged season​.
  3. 10 Tips to Support Grieving Children During the Holidays: Learn how to create a compassionate holiday experience for children experiencing grief, balancing cherished traditions with gentle understanding.

My hope is that these words help you move through the season with mindfulness, compassion, and the knowledge that you’re never alone on this journey.

With lovingkindness,

P.S. If you prefer videos, check out my YouTube channel. I am adding resources there too, including a video on Coping with Holiday Grief, and a guided relaxation meditation.

I Am Here To Help You Navigate Grief

537 Forest Road, Falling Waters, WV 25419
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Heather Stang

Read more from Heather Stang

Hello Reader, We’re often told that acceptance is the last stage of grief, something we reach once the pain fades and life feels normal again. But grief doesn’t unfold in stages (don't get me started). And acceptance isn’t about “moving on”—it’s about making space for what’s already here without fighting against it. In last week’s Meditation & Journaling class in Awaken, members embodied this idea through a guided meditation and journaling practice designed to help you sit with what...

Join Us For This Week's Events Monday February 24 at 4 PM ET: Grief Support Group Tuesday February 25 at 6 PM ET: Grief Support Group Wednesday February 26 at 4 PM ET: Meditation & Journaling Thursday February 27 at 5:30 PM: Grief Yoga RSVP for classes (optional) This Week's Grief Support Group Topic: Being With Difficult Emotions (R.A.I.N.) This session introduces the R.A.I.N. framework—Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture—as a compassionate approach to managing difficult emotions. Through...

Join Us For This Week's Events Monday February 17 at 4 PM ET: Grief Support Group Tuesday February 18 at 6 PM ET: Grief Support Group Wednesday February 19 at 4 PM ET: Anticipatory Grief Support Group Thursday February 20 at 5:30 PM: Grief Yoga RSVP for classes (optional) This Week's Grief Support Group Topic: Mindfulness & Grief Course Co-Working This one-hour co-working session is designed to help you focus on the Mindfulness & Grief Coursework inside of Awaken, so you can choose any lesson...