Molly loved the holidays, and learning to live without her for them has been crushing. Over the past 5 years I've tried to distract myself and my family by going to Disney for Christmas, or helping others. The feeling of losing holidays as they used to be, while finding new ways to celebrate has been a tumultuous journey. Throughout it all, I've learned how important it is to just sit with others who are grieving during the holidays.

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] Molly's love of holidays

[4:41] The first year and not celebrating holidays

[10:16] Gracie entering junior year and my chaotic life

[13:45] Year two and going to Florida

[16:31] Trying to clean up my life

[18:23] Going out to eat on Thanksgiving and Florida again in year three

[20:52] Brain surgery, Kenny's kidney, and Disney

[22:27] Struggling with Mother's Day

[24:04] COVID Thanksgiving and spending Christmas at home in 2020

[25:24] Gracie having an allergic reaction on Christmas Eve

[28:19] Jack going to the hospital

[29:25] Setting up a small Christmas tree

[30:56] Having a fun COVID Thanksgiving again

[33:07] Jack changing how we celebrate holidays

[34:10] People grieve in different ways during the holidays

[38:27] Losing how holidays used to be, but perhaps reinventing them

Resources from this episode:

• Camp Erin
• Lawsuit
• Rachel Hunger
• Alan's Restaurant

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