Fall is a season of traditions. Friday night lights, tailgates, bonfires, homecoming games—they carry the smells, sounds, and feelings of community. For many, these moments are pure nostalgia. But for those of us grieving, they can also carry an ache—the reminder of someone who isn’t here to share them.
Maybe your loved one always claimed the same seat at the game. Maybe you remember their laugh echoing around the fire. Or maybe it’s just the way the crisp night air feels, stirring memories that rush in all at once. Grief has a way of pulling up the empty chair and reminding us who’s missing.
And while those empty seats hurt, they’re also proof of love. Proof that someone mattered enough to leave a space no one else can fill.
✨ Coaching Tip: Instead of avoiding traditions that sting, consider weaving in a new ritual of remembrance. Wear their favorite team color. Light a candle before the game. Share a memory around the bonfire. Little actions can honor them while helping you stay present in the moment.
✨ Quote to Carry With You:
"Where there is deep grief, there was great love." — Unknown
This fall, let yourself feel both—the joy of traditions still here and the ache of those who are gone. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Grief and gratitude can share the same season, the same night, even the same heart.