In my whopping 34 years of life, I have lost my fair share of people that I love. After my parents died, I would get this horrible anticipation each year when it neared the anniversary of their death. I would get anxious, and stressed out just knowing the day was coming. Now that I have little kids of my own, I realize the need for ways to help them celebrate and remember a loved one. I want my kids to know about my parents, even if they won’t get to meet them.
- Write notes on balloons and release them into the air.
- Plant a garden and on holidays, add a birthday ribbon or a piece of candy – we did this for John’s dad after he passed away.
- Have a birthday party for that person – I mean, another reason to have cake, hehe
- Plant a tree.
- Adopt a road, park, etc.
- Go to a church service on the anniversary of their death, or even a birthday.
- Make a special meal with candles. Leave one candle unlit in rememberance
- Do something that person loved. A dance party to their favorite music, go sailboat watching if they were into that, etc.
- Draw a picture of what that person may be doing in heaven
- Have dinner {or breakfast or lunch} at their favorite restaurant
A special thanks to my sister for some of these great ideas.
