Today the U.S. observes Memorial Day.

In many areas it’s not so much a celebration as it is a way to honor those who’ve passed.  Started after or around the Civil War, traditionally Memorial Day honors fallen servicemen and women.

Oh sure, there are picnics and parades and marching bands in some areas.  It’s also a time to place flags or flowers on graves in cemeteries.  And to solemnly remember those who paid the ultimate price for freedom.

When I was a child, each year the local paper ran a story on historic Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, and how it was home to Memorial Day.

Until…

One of our U.S. Presidents decided to proclaim another town the “real” home of Memorial Day.  Boalsburg lost by 20th century standards, not 19th.

Perhaps the other town had the first official celebration.  In the 19th century (1800s) before satellite communications, before telephones, before radio or television… it easily could be that multiple towns had the same idea all about the same time. I never understood why a President of the U.S. would want to hurt the town of Boalsburg.

Now I realize he didn’t.  But in the push to “be first” perhaps the important people got lost…

Who?

The servicemen and women and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice. They are the ones that Memorial Day was founded for, not the town that thought of it first.

In honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, it’s okay to also honor those who died not in service to your country.  Perhaps in your arms or in your care.

Memorial Day is the perfect time to make some quiet time to reflect on their lives, and remember and cherish the memories you have of them.  And maybe, just maybe in doing so, you’ll also be able to work through the stages of grief.

How can Memorial Day help you work through the stages of grief?

• Taking the time to allow yourself to go through the grieving process.  Everyone goes through it at a different speed, and even the stages of grief often seem different in different people.  The emotional pain of grieving and loss is real and can be severe.  You need to allow yourself to heal in your own way and time…
• Pausing in the hectic day-to-day duties to reflect and be gentle with yourself.  Forgiving yourself and others is very powerful, and this is a great time to quietly check your heart to see who you need to forgive.  Not for them—for yourself and your healing…
• Remembering the memories and maybe even passing them on to the next generations.  You can do this in a variety of ways, including telling stories, making a journal of memories or even creating a scrapbook of memories.

Or making your own Memorial Day tradition to honor those who’ve passed.  Memorial Day is about honoring the dead… and moving forward with life.

Here’s a video honoring the fallen servicemen and servicewomen…

Or if you don’t see the video, just copy and paste this link (URL) into your browser…

http://youtu.be/5tdAX04YI3I

Maybe you’re ready to honor those who are still living before they pass?

One way is to tell them how special they are.

Okay, maybe you can’t do it or don’t feel comfortable doing it.

Have you thought about anonymously honoring others?

Now you can find out how to simply and elegantly honor others while reducing your own stress by taking The 21-Day “I AM a Gift to the World!” Challenge.  It’s FREE!

Just click here for more information.

Don’t see the link?  Just copy and paste this web address (URL) into your browser

http://caregivingwithpurpose.com/challenge/

And guess what?

By sharing how special they are now with them, you can avoid regrets and “what ifs” should you not have another chance… possibly making it easier for you to go through the stages of grief in the future.

Take time today to care for yourself.

After all you first need to care for yourself before you can optimally help others.

To your healthy caregiving,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore M.D. (ret.)
“The Knitting Dr.”
Ambassador of Elder Care, HowToLiveOnPurpose.com
Founder, CaregivingWithPurpose.com and TheKnittingYarn.com

Disclosure

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is for educational purposes only.  It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider.  This site does not advocate medical or other health-related self-care, and encourages you to obtain advice from your own personal physician or other health care provider.

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