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While you may not be experiencing a sense of loss, of grief; you know someone who is. It may be a friend who lost a parent, a relative who divorced this year, a partner whose son is fighting in Iraq, the father of the 16-year-old who committed suicide...
Coping with Losses during the Holidays
For many it is a season of family, festivities, wonder, hope and joy. Multicolored lights twinkle across houses and reindeer pose in front yards. Parents and eager children form long lines to sit on Santa's lap while sucking on candy canes. Decorations and sale signs adorn every store window. Jingle bells and Christmas carols fill the air. Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire. Holiday movies are in every theater, "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" replay in many homes. Families and friends gather around a cozy hearth smiling and laughing. Couples romantically walk hand in hand. Yes, the holidays are bliss for many, but not all.
For countless others it is a time of profound sadness, loneliness, anguish and grief. The holidays tend to magnify the grief experience; feelings are more tender and the pain seems more real. If the grief is new, the holidays can be excruciating. As the holidays approach, those who have experienced a loss may be dreading the experience.
Grief is the normal process of reacting to a loss. It is a universal and unavoidable aspect of life; at some point everyone grieves. As an officer, you know this all too well. You witness grief on a daily basis. When an officer is killed in the line of duty, no matter where in the country, all officers grieve. As I write this article on November 6th, 99 officers have died in the line of duty this year (up 13% compared to 2013). The number of officer suicides is not available, and is traditionally under reported. Officers may also feel grief for the victims and/or survivors of the seemingly senseless deaths they have been exposed to. Additionally, officers experience the loss of their loved ones: family members, and/or friends, and pets.
Grief can include the loss of many other things: physical (life-changing illness or disability), relationships (divorce or break-ups), occupational (termination or retirement),...