Dealing With Grief During The Holidays
By Christie M.
Coping with the loss of a loved one can be challenging at the best of times. The grief and sadness associated with the passing of a close family member or friend is often more deeply felt at this time of year. Happy memories can magnify feelings of loss, and often brings emotions closer to the surface during the holiday season.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the loss of a loved one or with any major change this holiday season, read on to learn some practical tips for dealing with loss in a healthy way.

Take Care of Yourself
Be sure to make the effort to take good care of yourself. The are often a time for indulgence, but avoid depressants like alcohol and limit high-sugar foods. If you’re accustomed to a routine, stick to it as closely as possible. Plenty of sleep, healthy eating habits and regular exercise can go a long way to keeping you in good mental and physical shape.

Make Time for Yourself
If you’re not feeling up to attending the season’s many parties and gatherings, it’s okay to bow out now and then. Tell your friends and family members that you’re taking some time for yourself – but don’t shut yourself away. And don’t beat yourself up for feeling low; it’s normal to be more strongly effected by grief around the holidays.

Remember To Talk About It
Don’t forget that it’s good to talk to friends and family about the way you feel. If it’s hard for you, it’s okay to say it’s hard! Just having someone to listen to you and talk about it with you can be a healing experience. If you have a hard time speaking about your feelings, consider writing your feelings down on paper in a letter or keeping a journal.

Do What Makes You Comfortable
If you find the prospect of taking part in the seasonal activities you once enjoyed with your loved one too hard to bear, consider making new traditions. Make an effort to see close friends and spend time with family, but instead of taking part in a tradition that may make you sad, simply take a break from the activity for the year and plan to do something that makes you feel good.

Take Comfort in the Memories
Rather than avoid the memories, take comfort in the happy moments you shared with the person you’ve lost. Appreciate the positive times you shared and be sad for that loss. Let the memories bring tears and laughter; it’s okay to cry and laugh at the same time as you remember them lovingly and mourn your loss.

Give Back
Keeping busy and giving back can help to fill your heart, so don’t forget that helping others can help you feel good, too. Volunteer your time with a soup kitchen, toy drive or shelter to occupy your mind and help make you feel fulfilled. If you’re looking for ways to honor your loved one, consider donating money you would have spent on their gifts to a charity they supported.

Remember, it’s normal to feel sad after the loss of a loved one, especially during the season. Don’t feel guilty about your emotions or try to mask your feelings; talk about it, take acre of yourself

A gift from Iona
Iona Flavell, aged 12, raised 175 sterling for the victims of the Asian Tsunami. Today (7th April 2005) she presented a cheque for that amount to Lt. Col Ian Joiner of the Aldershot Rotary Club which will be put towards the cost of the replacement fishing boats. The first boat will be named IONA in recognition of such a big effort from a young girl.
The School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (SEME) donate 6,000 sterling to Ex. Shrivenham Spirit
SEME are the training school for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) of the British Army. Earlier this year SEME undertook a rowing marathon to raise money for the victims of the Asian Tsunami.
MALABAR YACHT CLUB - new club facility
the club house for the MYC is now complete. The building has 4 good sized guest rooms each with a/c and on-suite bathroom. Pictures are in the gallery. Guests are now welcome - contact us for latest rates.
The Kondo Syokai Bouken Project gets underway with Exercise Shrivenham Spirit
the first UK Forces Adventure Training Exercise in Kerala (Ex. Shrivenham Spirit) is building a replacement fishing boat for the victims of the Asian Tsunami - reported here in the Malayalam Manorama news and here in the Hindu
Update on Asian Tsunami Boats
the first replacement boat for the Asian Tsunami is now out of the mold. Paid for by the Rotarians of Aldershot, UK, this is a 9M vessel. She will be named IONA after the 12 year old daughter of Lt. Col Alan Flavell who by herself raised nearly 200 sterling towards the cost. See here and click on Boats for the Tsunami link for pictures.
Asian Tsunami
following our narrow escape from the effects of the tsunami, Kondo Syokai is trying to help fishing families in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. See here for details.
ROSA in the News
Reporters from The Hindu (India's largest circulation English newspaper) and the New Indian Express visited Kondo Syokai today (26th November 2004) and were shown around ROSA, the Malabar Yacht Club's first yacht. Articles appeared in the press and on the web.
Ganso-Kiso
the "base" Gazelle from Kondo Syokai and the lowest cost of all the Kondo Syokai Gazelles.

In response to enquiries and suggestions the specification of Ganso-Kiso has been re-written. Now she really is a practical sail-away Gazelle for less than the price of a kit-boat. Ganso-Kiso is the door to the experience and benefit of journeying under sail.
First pictures of ROSA under sail
the first gazelle for the Malabar Yacht Club, ROSA, was sailed in the backwaters this week (17th October). This was simply to carry out a few preliminary checks prior to starting sea trials proper (scheduled for 30th October). It also provided an opportunity to get a few good pictures.
MALABAR YACHT CLUB
the first gazelle for the MYC is launched today 7th October 2004. The ribbon was cut by Mr David Pyle, Sales Director of Princess Yachts International PLC. This is a stunning vessel, the KS team have worked hard to get her ready for showing at the Indian International Boat Show this weekend. Pictures of the yacht can be viewed here.
SOUTH INDIA - Practical, Affordable, Yacht Ownership
for those of you who live in an area with cold and miserable winters from November to March this is just the tonic. Now you really can afford to own and keep a 50' yacht in one of the most fascinating places of the world - and at the same time escape the misery of winter.
The KS Boatyard is now able to offer wooden boat building

So you think all steel boats look the same? Think again!
the KS Boatyard produces an unbelieveable mirror finish using International and DuPont coatings.
Launch date set for Gazelle No.1
7th of March is the date that the first Gazelle will be put in the water
Auxillary Finalised
The decision was taken to fit the Simpson S 217 25.5 bhp diesel engine mated to a ZF 12M reduction gear as our standard item.
Boatyard Visits
Boatyard visits are also a great holiday opportunity - check out the Prospective Buyers Visit Package for more details and see the new images of the boatyard on the Boatyard Visit page

and do what you can. If you find yourself really struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend, family member or a professional for help.

Christie MacLachlan is a compassionate authority on funeral planning and grief recovery. She is often found enjoying life to fullest. In her spare time she writes for FuneralPlanning101.com – An informational source about funeral costs, burial interment, memorials and more.