187: How to Survive the Christmas Season (with Lynda Cheldelin Fell, Melanie Delorme)

Last week Laura was talking with Lynda Cheldelin Fell about ten tips to help bereaved parents get through the end-of-the-year holiday season. They only got through eight of the ten. (You will want to listen to episode 186 first to catch up, plus it is full of things that are good to know, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and even physically.) In today’s episode, Laura and Lynda finish their conversation, and then Laura brings on another mom from Canada, Melanie Delorme, to share some more thoughts about surviving the holidays. Lynda Cheldelin Fell is a founding partner of the International Grief Institute and international bestselling author of over 35 books including the award winning Grief Diaries series. Linda has a background in trauma, grief, and holds a national certification in critical incident stress management. She has earned six national literary awards and five national advocacy award nominations for her work.   Melanie Delorme was a content English teacher, wife, mother, sister, and friend. Then, without warning, she gained the title of bereaved parent when her eight-year-old son, Garrett, was accidentally killed in a hunting accident in 2008. Her road to healing brought her to write her first book, After The Flowers Die: A Handbook of Heartache, Hope and Healing After Losing a Child. Melanie is currently living on a ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada with her husband, Gerry, and their two children, Morgan and Justin.   (Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)   Links Mentioned in this episode: Join the discussion! Leave a question or comment on today’s talk here. To connect with Lynda: LyndaFell.com  or internationalgriefinstitute.com To connect with Melanie Delorme: Website –  melaniedelorme.com Find out more about The Grief Cruise. Go to the GPS Hope store to order When Tragedy Strikes and get My Grief Journey for FREE (through November 30).   Click here to become a monthly partner, giving hope to other parents, or to give a special gift to keep this podcast going, along with providing  other needed resources to bereaved parents. (GPS Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit and runs on the financial support of those who believe in passing along the hope they have received to others.)   Birthdays: Chase Hairston was born on November 28 and is forever 32. Joseph Nicodemus Amaha was born on November 28 and is forever 29. Liam “Trip” Nugent was born on November 29 and is forever 21. Raelyne Ten Bruggencate was born on November 29 and is forever 1. Ginny Rettig was born on November 30 and is forever 21. Andreas Claren was born on December 1 and is forever 30. Jesus Ortega was born on December 2 and is forever 20. Drew Jaggars was born on December 2 and is forever 19. If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information. The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here. Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE! www.gpshope.org   To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected]. Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose. It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.