Longing for Home: Navigating grief, change, & heartache during the Holidays
The holiday season can bring a mix of emotion for each of us, from joy and excitement to a sense of sadness and nostalgia. So much can change in our lives and it is during holidays that these changes can become most apparent to us - we notice the absence of a family member who has died or moved away, we are reminded of better-times and past holidays, or we are overjoyed to celebrate with new partners, friends, and family members.
We so badly want the holidays to be a time of rest where he can hit pause on the ever changing landscape of life. And sometimes the holidays can be just that, providing us with a meaningful sense of celebration and community. But other times the holidays can feel painful, isolating, and dull.
Dealing with Pet Grief: Healing After the Loss of Your Animal Companion
When we think of grief and loss, we often associate it with the loss of a person, but grief can also manifest in other forms, specifically after the loss of a pet.
It is unfortunate, however, that in our society we give little credence to the impact and weight that can accompany the death of a cherished pet.
As a therapist, I’ve spent many sessions helping clients navigate the complexity of emotion and pain that arise with the passing of an animal. And in recent months, my family experienced the loss of a pet - an adventurous and faithful dog named Oliver - eliciting my own feelings of sadness, loss, and grief.