A Blue Christmas…

A Blue Christmas To everything there is a season A time of love, a time of sharing and a time of memories In each season, let yesterday’s memories lead you In every time of need Count your blessings as well as your tears. Fill your heart with the best of the past And hope will come to you Keep your eyes on the good times And feel the love surrounding you There will always be times of trial But for every sorrow, there is hope For every tear there is love. As you work your way through your valley of sadness May strong and lasting memories be your comfort As you journey down this road of many branching paths Let’s walk together. As the Christmas rituals and festivities envelope us in their presence, I want to dedicate this blog post to those members of our communities who are in the midst of experiencing an impending loss and also to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Those dear people for whom the lights of the season won’t shine as brightly for, the numerous Christmas carols may ring hollow and the family gatherings too sad with an empty space in the circle of the family. Each person’s grief journey is a unique and singular experience. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed by emotion or perhaps you quietly tuck your sadness inside and walk along in silence, buffeted by the jostling crowds and the frenetic activity. Please know that all of us at Cress stand alongside you on your sacred journey. I think the thing I enjoy the most about my career as a funeral director are the stories I get to hear. I am allowed to be present to people who are deep in the pain of loss, and I have learned something very important from each family I am called to serve. I have learned that the stories of our departed loved ones matter. They impact us as we journey forward in our life and they speak to us from beyond the grave. Part of the process of learning to live again after a loss is to find a small joy each day. Something that is simple. Something that touches your heart and allows for even a moment of relief, of inspiration, of a chance to smile. Unlike the popular holiday song, the Christmas season is not always ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. For those who are experiencing the death of a loved one, it is indeed a very difficult time. A time of uncertainty, uneasiness, loneliness, and sadness, among other emotions. My wish this Christmas season is that everyone who is on a journey of grief may find comfort in the stories their loved ones leave behind; that you may find peace in your heart; that you may be surrounded with people in your life who bring you joy and a respite from loneliness; and that you may, in your own unique way, find the faith and courage to put one foot in front of the other, to continue on your journey thorough this life. It is indeed a life with sorrow, but also with much joy. May you carry the spirit and memory of your loved one close to your heart, for it is there that they will never be far from you. All of us at Cress wish you the peace and tranquility this season provides. We are honored to walk alongside you on your journey, before, during, and after the loss of a loved one. May we all be a source of strength for you and together offer you a shoulder to lean on, a steady hand to guide you when the path twists and turns, and a calm voice to comfort you and let you know that you are not alone. “Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever.” ~ Rumi ~ In Peace, The Cress Family and Staff Members Written by ~ Justin Panske, Funeral Director and Certified Celebrant