CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As the holidays roll in, so do memories of loved ones who have passed away.
Joshua Gonzales is the assistant funeral director of Galloway & Sons Funeral Home. As he reflected on the Christmas tree in the facility with ornaments of members of the community who have passed on, he reflected on his time with his grandmother.
"In 2018, I lost my grandmother about two weeks before Christmas," he said.
Gonzales' grandmother Lucila Martinez lived a long life.
"The fondest memory I remember is us getting together as a family for the holidays," Gonzales said. "Growing up here in town they had nine children and over 30 grandchildren. And every holiday we would get together for Christmas and Thanksgiving."
Gonzales says it was difficult after her passing. He encourages other families to keep traditions alive.
"Even though their physical presence is not here, their spiritual presence is always with them," he said.
Melica Wiley is the co-founder of the Youvolve Healing Center. She says for those who are grieving, the holidays can create this false sense that people should have an abundance of festivity.
"Grief has no timeline," she said. "Everyone is on their own journey. That can really be a struggle for those who have lost a family member or are in the midst of grieving to want to be festive during the holidays."
The Galloway & Sons Funeral Home came up with a solution for surrounding communities; a day of remembrance.
"We will have the priest from St. Joseph's Parish, Father Pete, and he will lead us in prayer and kind of tell us the importance of the remembrance ceremony and what it is to remember our loved ones."
Wiley suggests, after loss—but before the process of healing begins—to be patient with yourself during the grieving period.
"[It] can be exceptionally beneficial," she said. "So the fact that the funeral home is doing something like this that just shows the support of our community on the importance of, 'Hey, let's create a space for you to grieve, in the midst of the holidays.'"
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