If you use any kind of automatic reminder service for birthdays, anniversaries, or what have you and you’ve had a loved one die within the last year you might want to sit down and seriously consider your options. It might be comforting for you to be routinely reminded of that person’s birthday or it might make you burst into tears.
Three guesses on which one my reminder from American Greetings about my uncle’s birthday did for me this morning, and the first two don’t count.
Memories – easy to contain/manage when bidden, difficult to reign in when they come unbidden. Acknolwedging the individual, through a conversation with their memory or sharing a part of them with others, always makes me feel better.