Surviving holiday seminar Thursday

No matter how long it has been since a loved one died, grief can make the holidays a painful time, but there is hope.

Surviving the Holidays is a seminar from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, 1111 W. Pine Blvd., sponsored by Fellowship General Baptist Church.

Brenda McKnight of Poplar Bluff understands grief first hand, as well as understanding how the seminar will help not only survive the holidays, but bring joy back into your life.

“Join us for the encouraging seminar that will help you survive the holidays and discover new reasons to enjoy them again,” McKnight said.

McKnight spent eight and a half years trying to deal with the death of her 16-year-old son, which was the result of a car accident on black ice. He was an only child.

Explaining she had “a lot of emotions I suppressed. I learned I could only go forward. You cannot go around it or to over it” dealing with grief.

The program will be “beneficial to a loved one’s family to come. It will give insight in what to do for those who are grieving and how to deal with those who keep waiting for the insight.”

Admitting living “in a fog and going through emotions I didn’t know I was going through,” McKnight said programs like the seminar helped her stop looking through blinders she didn’t know she had on.

One might not be ready to commit to a long term grief sharing program at this time, but a one-time event like Surviving the Holidays will help, McKnight said.

Not only has McKnight personally experienced the help it provides, she’s “seen how it helps other people and has given them insight.”

Grief is a part of life one must cope with before your are able to move forward, she said.

The seminar will discuss:

• How to deal with the many emotions you will face during the holidays.

• What to do about traditions and other changes.

• Helpful tips for surviving social events.

• How to discover hope for your future.

“Plan to attend and bring a family member or a friend.” McKnight said. “The one night event will not take anyone away from church.”