110 - 7 hints for navigating grief during the holidays

Опубликовано: 04 Август 2026
на канале: Jon Swanson
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Holidays and holiday gatherings can be challenging in the best of times. Not every family is a Hallmark movie. In times of grief, they are more complicated.

I understand that sense of complication.

One Christmas, Nancy and I gave small gifts to my family. They were the tiny-size baby food jars with a little note in each one, letting people know that the following Christmas a baby would be joining the celebration. We laughed, and we cried a little.

Kathryn Anne was born in late July after those gifts. Five short weeks later, she died.

I don’t remember Christmas that year at all.

But I've learned at least seven suggestions over the decades that may be helpful to others navigating grief during the holidays.

Get your coffee or tea and sit with me for a bit.
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Jon Swanson is a hospital chaplain, writer, and teacher. His books are available at https://anewroutine.com
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Finding Words in Hard Times and Finding Words in Hard Times - the podcast provide stories and tools to help you be more comfortable as you help others in hard times.
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What you hear here is not medical advice. Call 988 if you need immediate support.
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For all the lists and resources mentioned in these episodes, visit Finding Words in Hard Times resources https://findingwordsinhardtimes.com/r...

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