Grief in the new year
As the new year begins, it's completely normal to feel sad, nostalgic or just plain weird when you realize you're starting a new chapter without someone.
If you're experiencing new year grief and missing your person, there are ways to stay connected with them, such as writing an open letter. Talk to them about your life, or write down some ways you will be remembering them in the new year.
We hope this open letter from Kate's Club team member Claire to her mom reminds you that you are never alone in these feelings.
Claire's letter to her mom who died
Dear Mom,
As the new year begins, I'm thinking about how it will be another year without you. Lots has changed in my life since you died. I want to catch you up on a little bit of it.
I have watched 800 movies since you died. I remember how you would pull me out of class, and we would spend the whole day at the movie theater together. I always think about you when I watch something I know you would have loved.
I have made lots of new friends, and some of my old friendships have faded. I have experienced love and heartbreak, and I even have a new favorite band (shocking, I know).
I have started new jobs, some of which I have loved, some not so much, and I now work in marketing at Kate's Club, which is a grief support nonprofit. It is funny the way things turn out.
I know that with each year that goes by, many more things about my life will change, and I wish you could be there with me through those experiences. When I was a teenager, I didn't appreciate the guidance you gave me enough. Now, as I'm getting older, I realize what a gift every conversation with you was.
I hope you would be proud of the adult I am becoming.
Love,
Claire
Free grief support for young adults in Georgia
Kate’s Club empowers children and teens, their families, and young adults facing life after the death of a parent, sibling, caregiver or someone important to them. The organization builds healing communities through recreational and therapeutic group programs, education and advocacy. Since its founding in metro Atlanta in 2003, Kate’s Club has served thousands of individuals who are grieving, through both member and outreach services. Kate's Club offers services in Metro Atlanta, Southwest Georgia, Northeast Georgia and Coastal Georgia.