GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Like many holidays, Mother's Day can bring sad emotions for those who have lost a loved one. That's why Emmanuel Hospice is encouraging people to honor the memory of their loved ones by performing acts of kindness.
"This came out of a personal loss. My aunt lost both of her children, and for her, as a way of processing her grief and kind of honoring them, she decided to create a random act of kindness act. She would go to their favorite coffee shop and buy the cup of coffee for the stranger behind them, and this was a way to cope with the anticipation of some of those harder calendar dates," said Emmanuel Hospice bereavement coordinator Katie Mayberry.
"I found that just to be extremely inspiring, so I brought the idea to our team last year as a way to give folks another idea for National Grief Awareness Day in August."
A tradition was born. Emmanuel Hospice now has cards that people can give out saying "You have received a random act of kindness in honor and memory of..." with a blank space where people can write the name of a loved one.
"Our whole goal with this is to really shed light in places that often feel dark and can feel quite isolating. By somebody taking some of those feelings of grief, and pain at times, and transforming it into something that is a beautiful way of honoring that person, but also having such a meaningful effect on the person that's receiving it, really is a wonderful opportunity, I think, for people to honor their grief journey," Mayberry said.
Acts of kindness could include something you think your loved one would appreciate. If you're at a loss for ideas, Emmanuel Hospice recommends the following:
- Buy a stranger's coffee
- Plant a tree
- Check in with a loved one
- Send anonymous flowers
- Volunteer
- Pick up trash
- Surprise someone with a gift
- Tell someone why you're thankful for them
- Donate food, toys, books, or make a financial gift
- Put positive sticky notes on mirrors
- Compliment a stranger
Mayberry also said Mother's Day is a good time to check in with people who have lost a mother, grandmother, or another loved one.
"Sometimes the most important thing we can do is be willing to just show up and be present, and to be able to ask, 'How are you doing?'" she said.
"That person that's really grieving sometimes feels like they're standing still, so it's really important to make sure we're kind of circling back, even months after, to check in and offer that love and support and just let them know that we're here."
Emmanuel Hospice has a page on its website with resources dedicated to helping people navigate grief journeys.
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