For survivors, the holidays days have new meaning. 
Occasions that were once filled with happiness can now become days that bring sadness and other difficult emotions. Holidays in particular highlight the absence of a loved one.

If you are a survivor, please take special care of yourself and your heart. Reach out to family, friends, and mental health professionals for help. You may be surprised that your body has been holding onto memories and anticipating the date. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps The Score provides further guidance in this regard.

How to Help Survivors during the Holiday Season
If you have a survivor family in your life, ask them these questions:

• “What can I do to help you during this holiday?”
• “Would you join us for dinner?”
• “Can I send a dinner for your family?”
• “Can I just sit with you?”
• Be ready for tears and “no” but just be there for them and hold their hands.
• Daily tasks can be overwhelming for survivors. Laundry, dinner, yard work all pile up. Try these:
  • “Collect your laundry. I’ll pick it up tonight and return it tomorrow.”
  • “If you aren’t up for company, would you mind if I sent over dinner for you?”
  • “I’m going to the post office/grocery store/pharmacy. Can I get anything for you?”

Most of all just pick up the phone, drop by for a minute, send a text. Just let them know you are thinking of them and their family.