Finding Gratitude in Grief: Honoring Loved Ones with Together at Peace During the Thanksgiving Season
Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and reflection, making it an especially meaningful opportunity to honor loved ones we’ve lost. While grief can be present, it’s also a time to celebrate the joy, love, and legacy they brought into our lives. At Together at Peace, we believe in finding hope amid the heartache. Here are some uplifting ways to keep your loved one’s spirit alive during the Thanksgiving season, with special ways to interact with our community:
1. Share Heartwarming Stories Together
Gather family and friends and invite everyone to share a favorite story, memory, or moment with the person you’re honoring. To amplify this joy, consider sharing your story on our Together at Peace website. Sharing stories is a beautiful way to help others heal while spreading love and remembrance. Share Your Story!
2. Prepare Their Signature Dish or make it a Memory Meal
Cooking your loved one’s favorite recipes can bring back joyful memories and a sense of closeness. Print copies of their recipes and share them with family and friends. Read our Together at Peace Blog about how we supported Wellness House by creating a Memory Meal for their grief group.
3. Set a Place for Them at the Table
Setting an empty chair at the dinner table symbolizes that while they may not be physically present, they’re always with you in spirit. This Thanksgiving, add a Together at Peace Journal at the place setting to make a list of little things you are grateful for about them.
4. Create a Memory Corner at Home
Designate a small space in your home to display photos, mementos, or a candle in memory of your loved one. You can also add a Together at Peace Hope Stone to remind yourself and others that you’re part of a larger community of support.
5. Give Back in Their Name
Volunteering or donating to a cause can be one of the most fulfilling ways to honor a loved one’s legacy. Consider making a donation to Together at Peace in their name, supporting programs that bring healing and comfort to grieving families. Donate in their memory.
6. Create a Remembrance Collage
Create a heartfelt collage with family and friends as a collective tribute to your loved one, expressing gratitude for the time you had together. If you’re comfortable, share a photo of your creation with Together at Peace where it can be featured on our virtual HeART Wall to inspire others on their own journey of healing. Email a photo of your comforting creation.
7. Light a Candle of Hope
Lighting a candle in your home symbolizes the light of your loved one’s spirit still shining bright. Enjoy the Together at Peace Remembrance Candle during the holidays and all year round. The calming lavender scent of love and devotion comforts you as a note of hope is slowly revealed when the flame is lit. These special candles help share the memory of your loved ones and honor their spirit that burns bright.
8. Carry On Their Traditions with a Purpose
Whether it’s making a special toast, watching a favorite movie, or continuing a quirky tradition, keeping these rituals alive brings a sense of joy. This year, consider dedicating a family tradition to supporting Together at Peace, whether through fundraising, attending an event, or simply spreading awareness. Join our community!
9. Host a 'Grief & Gratitude' Memory Mile
Consider hosting a small remembrance walk or Memory Mile focused on honoring their legacy, sharing memories, expressing gratitude and enjoying nature. Invite friends, family, or even members of the Together at Peace community for a healthy activity of remembrance, love, and healing. Together, you can create a space that honors your loved ones while connecting with others who understand. Our “Let’s take a walk” Trucker Hats are tangible reminders of this special event.
10. Share Their Legacy on Social Media
Post a tribute to your loved one on social media and tag Together at Peace to spread awareness and offer hope to others. Sharing photos, stories, or meaningful memories can be a source of healing, not only for you but for your community as well.
Finding Joy Together
Grief and gratitude can coexist, especially during Thanksgiving. By honoring your loved one through these meaningful acts, you transform grief into something powerful—a living legacy that brings hope and connection. At Together at Peace, we’re here to support you, offering a place where love lives on and healing is nurtured.
Feel gratitude, share love, and know that you are never alone on this journey.🌟
