The Empty Seat at the Table: How to Support Someone Grieving During the Holidays
I’ve received so many messages lately asking, ‘How do I support a friend or family member who’s grieving during the holidays?’ Honestly, I get it. The holidays are emotional, overwhelming, and often unbearable when you’ve lost someone you love. For years, I’ve dreaded Christmas—I’ve even wanted to skip it entirely. Grief does that. Everything feels amplified.
If you’re wondering how to show up for someone grieving this season, I hope what I share here helps. It’s not about fixing their pain—it’s about easing the burden, making space, and offering compassion when they need it most. Because for someone grieving, the holidays aren’t joyful—they’re just hard.
🎄 Here are a few simple but powerful ways you can truly support someone who’s grieving this year. (Spoiler: It’s the little things that mean the most.)
What No One Understands About Losing a Child
Losing a child is an unimaginable grief, filled with misconceptions that can deepen the loneliness. Grief doesn’t expire; you don’t “move on,” you carry it forward. Talking about a lost child doesn’t worsen the pain, it keeps their memory alive. Other children don’t fill the void, and strength includes falling apart. Life changes forever, but it can still hold meaning as you honour their memory.
What Does Healing Look Like Years After Loss?
Nearly ten years after losing Maddie, grief remains a constant, though it has transformed me. From feeling lost and adrift to finding a renewed sense of purpose, I've learned that healing isn’t about moving on but moving forward with meaning. Today, I honour her by living fully—with intention, compassion, and a relentless drive to help others. Difficult experiences can harden us, but they can also soften and open us if we let them.
Transforming Pain into Purpose: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Inspiring Change
Experience the raw emotions of grief and loss as one parent shares their ongoing journey after the tragic death of their daughter, Madeline. Discover the power of community support, fundraising initiatives, and the impact of The Maddie Project in raising awareness for youth mental health. Explore the transformative effects of pain and how it fuels resolve and purpose in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Join the conversation surrounding mental health, suicide prevention, and the pursuit of healing. #GriefandLoss #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicideSurvivor #CommunitySupport #HealingJourney #MaddieProject #YouthMentalHealth #FundraisingInitiatives #PhillipsHouse #ResolveandPurpose.