Holiday Bill of Rights

Below is the Holiday Bill of Rights for the Bereaved that I received from our funeral home at the Christmas remembrance service that was held a couple of weeks ago.  I just waned to share.  I hope you all are having a peaceful Christmas season. 

Holiday Bill of Rights For the Bereaved

1. You have a right to say TIME OUT! Anytime you need to. Time out to let up, blow a little steam, step away from the holidays, have a "huddle" and start over.

2. You have a right to TELL IT LIKE IT IS. When people ask, "How are you...?" you have the right to tell them how you really feel, not just what they want to hear. (You also have the right to smile and say you're fine because telling them how you feel isn't worth your time-some people will never understand anyway.)
3. You have the right to SOME BAH HUMBUG DAYS. You dont have to be "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" all the time. You are not a bad person just becuase you dont feel like singing Christmas carols all day.

4.  You have the right to DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.  There is no law that says you must always do holidays the same way.  You can do 10 cards unstead of 100- or no cards at all!  You can open presents at somebody else's house.  You can have pizza instead of turkey!  The list is endless...

5.  You have the right to BE WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.  Be at home or with the relatives.  Be in any city, any state you choose!  Nobody said you have to have snow during the holidays!  There is no law that says you must stay home!

6.  You have a right to SOME FUN!  When you have a day that isn't so bad and you feel like doing something just for fun, then do it!  Don't be afraid of what someone else will say if they see you laughing and having a good time.  Laughter is every bit as important as tears.

7.  You have the right to CHANGE DIRECTION MID-STREAM.  Holiday grief is unpredictable.  You may be all ready to go somewhere or do something and suddenly be overwhelmed.  When that happens, it's okay to change your mind.  There's plenty of time in life to be predictable.  Exercise your right to change when you need to.

8.  You have a right to DO THINGS AT DIFFERENT TIMES.  Go to religious services at a different time.  Open presents at a  different time.  Don't be chained to the holiday clock.

9.  You have the right to REST, PEACE, AND SOLITUDE.  You don' need to be busy all the time.  Take a nap whenever you need one.  Take time to meditate, to recharge your strength.

10.  You have the right to DO IT ALL DIFFERENTLY AGAIN NEXT YEAR.  Just because ou change things one year does not mean you have written it in stone.  Next year you can always change it back or do it a new way.