25 Ways To Keep Your Loved One's Spirit Alive After They Have Transitioned
Over the years, I've witnessed family members and friends transition. And often, after the funeral, not too many words are spoken about the departed except during special occasions that may prompt a memory or two from time to time.
I have come to learn through my experiences, that people grieve their loss in different ways.
For some, the loss is so painful that they are unable to discuss it.
For others, the decedent died before asking for forgiveness and repairing broken relationships. In some families the decedent may have been an abusive or otherwise horrible person, that quite frankly people are more at peace with their non-existence than they were when they were among the living.
There are those remaining family members that want to keep their loved one's spirit alive but may be afraid that they will be seen as "not letting go" or "not moving on" so instead they secretly pine away on the inside and brokenhearted while missing their departed loved one.
Then there are people like me, an only child of a single mother who has no blood relatives or parents -- besides me. In light of this fact, I exert the same level of responsibility, love, and care shown to her while she was living, in her death.
I want to do everything in my power to honor her spirit, keep her memories alive and to educate others about her legacy. Her, being my mother, Beverly E. Carroll who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in October 2018.
There's no blueprint on how to remember your loved one, and there is no requirement to do so -- it's an individual choice.
For me, it's an easy choice because I feel connected to her spiritually when I'm actively and creatively finding ways to keep my mom's memory alive. The moment that I stop, I believe that my soul will also cease to serve a purpose in this dimension. I know in my heart that my mother wants nothing more than for me to be the mother she raised me to be and to love my spouse, children, and grandson as much as she did if not more.
My mother loved me and wanted me to be happy. I would be dishonoring what she would have wanted for my life if I failed to live up to her expectations. It doesn't matter that's she's a spirit, honor is honor, and I will continue to honor her in death.
For those that share similar views as I do about keeping your loved one's memory alive, or if you've lost a loved one and you want to know in what ways can you keep their memory alive, I've compiled a list of 25 ways to keep your loved one's spirit alive after they have transitioned.
Talk about your loved one daily
Write down your thoughts about your loved one as they occur to you
Record your dreams about your departed loved one
Wear their favorite color
Dine at their favorite restaurant on a special occasion
Memorialize and update their social media pages
Plant a tree
Do a balloon release on special occasions
Visit their final resting spot frequently
Stay in contact with your loved one's closest friends and exchange memories
Create photo pillows and blankets with their image
Complete things they wanted to complete but they did not complete (I wrote and released a published book because my mom always wanted to be a published author)
Create and maintain a garden of their favorite fruits or vegetables
Honor their spirit during special occasions by placing a single rose in a chair honoring their spiritual presence
Celebrate /Acknowledge their heavenly birthdays
Commit Random Acts of Kindness
Create social media groups & exchange memories with others who have lost loved ones
Burn their favorite scented candles
Create a sacred box that includes precious items of your loved one
Name your child after your loved one
Go on a vacation that your loved one always wanted to go on
Walk on the beach barefoot and allow beautiful memories to flow about your loved one
Donate to their favorite charity/organization
Ask their favorite employer to create and hang a memorial plaque
Wear jewelry that reminds you of your loved one (I wear bee jewelry to feel close to my mom's spirit since I always called her Miss Bee)
Again, there is no right or wrong way to honor your loved one's legacy or how to keep their spirit alive.
I'm sharing this information with those who may be inspired to keep their loved one's spirit alive.
Whatever you do, don't abandon their spirit.
Kinyatta E. Gray is a published author of five books that can be found on her website kinyattagray.com she is also the CEO of FlightsInStilettos, LLC.
Disclaimer: I am not a mental health provider. I am providing this information based on my real-life experience and to inspire others to keep their loved one's legacy alive.
