Green Options

While our family is on the light green side of eco living, we really do our best to have a green holiday - particularly when it comes to buying natural, handmade gifts and wrapping and decorating. But it seems as though no matter how green we try to go over the holiday season, my in-laws have the amazing ability to completely undo it with their 10 tons of wrapping paper, battery operated and electronic toys, not to be topped by the tiny little plastic gifts and bags of candy. Basically, it’s like they buy out the entire Dollar Store and stuff it in my kids’ stockings.

Typically I’m here as a Mommy Blogger. It’s a title that makes some cringe, but I embrace it. I have kids, I’m raising them, it’s the most important job I’ll ever have, therefore I’m a Mommy Blogger. Today I’m here to talk about my mom.

I woke up to this email

Whether it is a pet or a family member, one of the toughest things to deal with as a parent is death.  We’ve lost two dogs and a dear friend, who was the father of my daughter’s good friend, and last weekend, my grandmother died.  Although my children had only met her a handful of times, my grief and loss was shared with my children.  I can’t hide in the closet and cry.

I have always been honest with my children, and I want them to view death as naturally as they consider birth.  It is a celebration of life.  At times, it is relief to have young children around to hold and hug.  At other times, children complicate the picture with their needs which forces a parent to push their grief aside.  One of the most healing activities in our family is to share memories of the loved one who has gone on to the next life.