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t m c ยป p u l s e | d e c 2 0 1 7 /ja n 2 0 1 8 14 14 There is no right or wrong way to cope with the emptiness left behind by a loved one's death, but Nelson encourages people to dedicate time in their holiday schedules to share memories and reflect. "We encourage folks to have some quiet time to remember, but also to make sure they have time with others to talk about the person who has died. Tell the stories," Nelson said. "Yes, there may be tears at first, but that opens up the way to richness of their stories, the laughter and the remembering." For Valverde, there are still tears, but she plans to continue the tradition of putting up the 4-foot artificial tree she bought the Christmas before her mother's death. She'll decorate it with string lights and orna- ments she and her siblings had given their parents from different places they had traveled. She'll hang up three glass bells that her mother gave her, along- side the ornaments she bought in honor of both her parents' deaths. Although she still feels the loss of her father, she takes comfort in knowing her parents have finally T H E PA R K LA N E L uxury Apartments www.Theparklane.com Corporate Units Avaliable For 3 Month+ Leases Medical Stays Visiting Academic and Medical Professionals On Site Dog Park Shuttle to all Major Hospitals in the Texas Medical Center Electric Vehicle Charging Stations On-Site Storage Included Assigned Garage Parking No Water or Garbage Bills 24hr. Valet & Concierge Service Pets Accepted Minutes from Texas Medical Center Sophisticated Surveillance System Discount to Texas Medical Center Employees NEW! 1701 Hermann Dr. I 713.526.VIEW Both furnished and unfurnished corporate units available! Source: Houston Hospice SEVEN TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS been reunited in eternal life. "Death makes you appreciate the loved ones you still have with you. It makes you realize what's import- ant and what's not important," Valverde said. "What is important is that you have your loved ones with you and they know you love them." After all, Nelson added, we grieve to the depths that we have loved. While there will always be sorrow and suffering in mourning someone's passing, in the end, there's some measure of peace in confronting death that makes room for newfound growth. "When you're willing to do the grief work, it makes you so much bigger, " Nelson said. "To give meaning to someone else's life, you can't help but grow yourself." H HAVE a plan O OPEN your heart to memories L LET others help you I I can change holiday activities D DO not ignore your feelings A ALLOW yourself to grieve Y YOU will survive Nelson in the Houston Hospice garden, where patients and families go to seek quiet and tranquility.