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The holiday season is often depicted as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for many, it’s also a time of profound grief, especially if a loved one has passed away. The absence of someone important can make the holidays feel heavier, more difficult to navigate, and at times, isolating. It’s important to acknowledge that grief doesn’t take a break for the holidays. In fact, the season can sometimes bring those emotions into sharper focus.

If you’re grieving a loss during the holidays, you’re not alone in feeling the weight of the season. The sights, sounds, and traditions that once brought joy can now serve as painful reminders of the person who is no longer with you. While there’s no “right” way to grieve or experience loss, there are steps you can take to care for yourself as you navigate this difficult time, while also finding meaningful ways to honor your loved one.

1. Give Yourself Permission to Feel

Grief doesn’t pause for the holidays. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or even numb. Don’t force yourself to act cheerful if you’re not ready. Honor your emotions and take breaks when needed.

2. Create New Traditions or Modify Old Ones

Instead of trying to recreate past holidays, consider creating new traditions to honor your loved one. This might include lighting a candle in their memory, visiting a place they loved, or volunteering for a cause they cared about.

3. Practice Self-Compassion

Grieving is exhausting. Be kind to yourself by getting rest, eating well, and engaging in gentle activities like walking or meditating. Set boundaries to avoid overcommitting and take time for quiet reflection.

4. Reach Out for Support

You don’t have to grieve alone. Seek support from friends, family, or a counselor. Share your feelings and let others know how they can help, whether it’s offering a listening ear or respecting your need for space. This holiday season, the Ecumen Hospice team is offering free presentations to help you navigate grief. These events are open to all and will be held at the following locations: Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood, Ecumen Litchfield, Ecumen Pathstone, Ecumen Lakeshore, and Ecumen North Branch.

5. Honor Your Loved One’s Memory

Take time to celebrate your loved one’s life. Light a candle, share stories, or make a donation to Ecumen in their name. These small acts can help keep their memory alive during the holidays.

6. Consider a Low-Key Approach

You don’t have to participate in every tradition or event. Opt for a simpler, quieter holiday if that feels more comforting. Take things one day at a time and listen to what you need.

7. Let Go of Guilt

Allow yourself to experience moments of joy without guilt. It’s okay to laugh or enjoy the season. Grief and joy can coexist, and embracing both is part of healing.

Navigating the holidays while grieving is difficult, but with self-compassion and meaningful ways to remember your loved one, you can move through this season with tenderness and resilience.

Ecumen is pleased to announce that Jenn Faris has joined the Ecumen Hospice team as Director – Hospice Operations.

Faris brings decades of experience in home health and hospice care to her new role. She most recently served as Program Manager for Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital’s hospice operations. Prior to that, she had an extensive 21-year tenure with Excela Home Health and Hospice in Greensburg, PA, where she held several key positions.

“I look forward to collaborating with Jenn to set standards, work with cross-functional teams, engage with regulatory bodies, and partner with industry leaders to ensure the highest quality of hospice care,” said Tami Haley, Ecumen’s Chief Nursing Officer. “We are excited to welcome Jenn to Ecumen and look forward to the expertise and leadership she will bring to our hospice operations.”

Faris holds both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing, earned at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Ecumen North Branch is always looking for meaningful ways to engage with their community and make a positive impact. One special initiative that their residents look forward to every two weeks is the partnership with the Viking Vittles program, a local effort to support food-insecure students in the North Branch Area.

Here’s how it works: every two weeks, the Viking Vittles team drops off totes filled with brown paper lunch bags and stickers to Ecumen North Branch. The residents then roll up their sleeves and get to work—placing stickers on each lunch bag, turning them into a colorful part of a much larger effort. Once the bags are ready, they’re picked up and packed with meals for local schoolchildren in need.

It’s a simple yet impactful task, and the residents absolutely love it. It provides them with the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than themselves and connect with the local kids in a meaningful way. Knowing that their small act of kindness is part of a larger effort to support food-insecure students brings everyone a sense of purpose and pride.  

What is Viking Vittles?

Viking Vittles is a weekend backpack program created to help students in the North Branch Area Public Schools who face food insecurity. The program provides bags of food to children from pre-K through grade 5, ensuring that they have enough to eat over the weekend when school meals aren’t available. The program was launched in 2019 by Trinity Lutheran Church, in partnership with Family Pathways, and has grown with the support of the local community.

By partnering with Viking Vittles, Ecumen North Branch residents have a chance to make a real difference in the lives of local children. This simple act of packing lunch bags is a reminder of the power of community and the joy that comes from helping others, no matter how small the task may seem.

A Heartwarming Connection

For the Ecumen North Branch residents, the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause is more than just an activity—it’s a way to stay connected with the broader community and feel involved in something that truly matters. It’s also a chance to leave a legacy of kindness and support for the children in their own backyard.

As the Viking Vittles program continues to grow, so too does the spirit of giving in our community. They are proud to be a part of this wonderful initiative, and they look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that no child goes hungry over the weekend.

Thank you to Viking Vittles, Trinity Lutheran Church, Family Pathways, and all those who support this program.

We’re proud to announce that two Ecumen communities have been honored as 2024 Top Living Communities by Mpls. St. Paul Magazine.

To create this list, the Mpls. St. Paul Magazine partnered with DataJoe, a respected national research firm that specializes in local evaluations. They thoroughly assess care communities and resources based on several important factors, including availability, federal government ratings, the frequency of negative reports to state regulatory agencies, and overall community perception.

Congratulations to Abiitan Mill City, and Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley for earning this recognition as top assisted living communities.

For more details about their achievements, be sure to check out the November issue of Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, now available on newsstands.

Ecumen Detroit Lakes recently witnessed a heartwarming story that beautifully encapsulates the essence of creativity and support. It all began with Wayne, a talented individual whose history with painting was uncertain, but whose passion for art was undeniable.

Wayne’s journey into painting sparked from a simple yet powerful inspiration: “Bob Ross can do it, I think I can too.” With that belief, he picked up a brush, often completing a painting in just about an hour. His artistic endeavors weren’t limited to canvases; he also engaged in commercial and residential painting, showcasing his versatile skills.

The pivotal moment came when Deerae Nelson, Ecumen Detroit Lake’s Speech Therapist, took the initiative to showcase Wayne’s older artwork within the community. This not only highlighted his abilities but also celebrated his creative spirit, fostering a supportive atmosphere. Heather Spier, Ecumen Detroit Lakes RN Clinical Manager and Morgan Johnson, an Ecumen Detroit Lakes Nursing Assistant-Registered, further encouraged Wayne to explore his artistic side, even going as far as providing him with new supplies. However, Wayne initially hesitated, grappling with self-doubt about his capabilities.  

Recognizing his concerns, the team decided to let things unfold naturally for a while. Eventually, Heather reached out to his wife, enlisting her support in encouraging Wayne to give painting another shot. With her help, the team gathered his old supplies, including a cherished easel from years past.

“I reassured Wayne that art is a personal journey—it’s not about perfection but about expression,” said Heather. “I encouraged him to embrace the possibility of reinventing his style, reassuring him that it was perfectly okay if his work looked different from what he created years ago.”

Wayne is truly an incredible person, and the team said it was fulfilling to see him supported in pursuing something he loves. During a recent painting session, it was clear how knowledgeable and passionate he is about art. “He even taught me a thing or two while we painted together. The joy on his face was infectious, especially as he welcomed a couple of assistants who were eager to help,” said Heather.

“Heather played a crucial role in this process, embodying the principles of a Montessori-inspired culture. By understanding Wayne as an individual and focusing on his abilities, she removed barriers that might have hindered his creativity. She set up a painting station for him, allowing him to engage in a meaningful and fulfilling activity,” said Danielle Olson, Ecumen Detroit Lakes Executive Director. Stay tuned for updates on Wayne’s artistic journey!