As the first anniversary of Steve Job’s death has just past, it is a good reminder that sometimes marking the date of an important event with a commemorative ritual can help to facilitate healing in the grieving process.  The first year after the death of a loved one is often the most difficult.  Marking the anniversary often brings back memories of both the life and the death of the person.

Finding a way to honor a loved one’s memory is one way to mark the anniversary.  One friend sends flowers to the living spouse on the anniversary her husband’s death.  Another wrote a poem of remembrance on the first anniversary of a family member’s death and shared it with others.  The ritual you choose to create can be as public or private as you would like, but I encourage you to take the time to mark the date of anniversaries.

Marlayne Whitlock, MA, LAPC

mwhitlock@ GROWcounseling.com