Weihnachten Anders: Hertel Ohne Papa Eberhard

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Post on Nov 23, 2024

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Weihnachten anders: Hertel ohne Papa Eberhard – Ein Jahr voller Veränderungen

This Christmas feels… different. Really different. You know how it is, right? Some years are all sparkly lights and perfect presents, and others? Others feel like navigating a blizzard blindfolded. This year? Blindfolded blizzard, definitely. It’s my first Christmas without Papa Eberhard. My dad. Sigh.

The Empty Chair

It's weird, you know? I always pictured Christmases stretching out forever, with Papa Eberhard's booming laugh echoing through the house, his slightly burnt Lebkuchen (don't tell him I said that!) always a highlight, and his stories, oh those stories... They were always a Christmas tradition. This year, his chair sits empty at the table. It’s not just an empty chair; it's a gaping hole in the usual festive chaos. We've tried to fill it, you know, with extra candles and decorations. Maybe too many candles. But it's still... empty.

I know grief is a personal journey, right? Everyone processes loss differently. I've tried the usual coping mechanisms. I baked tons of cookies – probably enough to feed a small army. I even attempted to make his famous Stollen. Total disaster, I messed up the yeast. Seriously, that was a low point. It smelled like sadness instead of festive spices. But I’m learning that the process isn't about fixing things perfectly or making everything "normal" again. It's about accepting that "normal" has shifted, and finding a new rhythm.

Finding New Traditions

This year, we're doing things a little differently. We're trying to make some new traditions. Some are a little strange! We're having a "remember Papa Eberhard" storytelling night. Each person shares their favorite memory of him. It's been lovely, but also brings a wave of emotion. My little sister keeps bringing up the time he tried to make a snowman that looked more like a melted marshmallow. Funny stuff.

Last year we visited the Weihnachtsmarkt in Dresden. I'm thinking I’ll go alone this year. The bright lights and warm Glühwein, it helps a bit. At least it did last year, that is. I have some sentimental value connected with visiting this place. I hope it will help me remember the good times again. Sometimes I miss him a lot. I really hope the traditions I will introduce this year will help. I also need to start thinking about some holiday gift ideas in advance this year.

Coping with Grief During the Holidays

The holidays are already stressful – add grief to the mix, and it's a recipe for disaster. I wish someone had told me, like, before this happened, that grief is totally unpredictable. One minute, you're laughing at a silly memory, the next you're sobbing into your Lebkuchen. It’s okay not to be okay, you know? Allow yourself to feel whatever you're feeling, whether it's joy, sadness, or a confusing mix of both. Don't try to force happiness; allow yourself to grieve in your way.

Tips for navigating Christmas after a loss:

• Allow yourself to feel: Don't suppress your emotions.
• Create new traditions: This helps to create new memories and move forward.
• Talk about it: Sharing your feelings with loved ones can be incredibly helpful.
• Be kind to yourself: This isn't a race, and there are no rules.

This Christmas won't be the same, and that's okay. This is a new chapter in our lives. It's a chapter that's still being written, a little messy, a little bittersweet, but one that we’re facing together. And, even though Papa Eberhard's physical presence is gone, his spirit, his laughter, his love, those things remain. Those things are eternal. And they are our new Christmas tradition.