The holiday season is laced with minefields for grieving people,especially if they are facing the first holiday season without aloved one. Homes get decorated with sentimental ornaments, candles,and trimmings. Songs carry unbidden emotions. There are countlessgatherings of friends and family where the empty chair is all tooevident. And because expectations for joy and cheer are so high,these mourners often feel lost, alone, and sad. Your employees,clients, and associates will never forget it if you reach outcompassionately during this time, letting them know you understandhow hard it is.

Remember not to write cards and notes wishing a “Happy” or“Merry” holiday. Instead, choose texts that wish peace or hope.Then include a hand-written message acknowledging their reality.Here is one possibility: “Wishing you Happy Holidays at a time likethis seems hollow. Instead, I wish you peace. I wish youhealing. I wish you hope.”

Or: “During this holiday time, I wish you moments of lightnessin the midst of the pain. I wish you companionship of belovedpeople in the midst of the loneliness. I wish you healing as youlearn to survive these days. Most of all, I wish you peace.”