Faith Kids Shares Hope for the Holidays

For most, the holidays bring a sense of joyful anticipation through gatherings with friends and family, fun traditions and moments of peace. But for those grieving the loss of a close loved one, the season can feel very different.

To support those grieving this season, Faith Kids, in partnership with Camp Erin, hosted the Great Gingerbread Bash on Saturday, December 6, on the campus of the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center. This special all-day event was filled with festivities, reflection, self-care and holiday fun created especially for families navigating grief.

We sat down with Chrissy Wittchen, a mother of two young children who lost her father earlier this year and a new participant to Faith Kids, as well as Nelson West, a five-year Faith Kids volunteer. Both spoke from the heart about what this program means to them.

For Chrissy, participating in Faith Kids has been a meaningful experience for her family after the loss of her father and her children’s grandfather. The program provides her and her two children, ages seven and three, with a safe space to explore their feelings, participate in different activities and make friends with others who understand what they are going through. Chrissy shared, “The adults have helped me recognize the feelings my kids are going through. I never experienced grief as a child, so I didn’t know what to expect, especially with kids so young. It means the world to my kids to have friends who are going through the same things that they are, they feel less alone in their grief.” Through the program, her family is learning that it’s okay to feel happy and sad at the same time. Grieving during the holidays is tough and for Chrissy’s family, being around people who understand has been a tremendous comfort.

When the opportunity became available to volunteer to help children, especially those who were grieving, Nelson jumped at it. Nelson, a former pediatric and hospice nurse, knows he is making a difference. “When people are hurting the most, that’s when you can really make an impact,” he said. “Mostly, it’s about being present, listening and giving your time.” For Nelson, volunteering allows him to step outside of himself and just be present for someone else.

Nelson also understands loss personally. When he was a young adult, his brother passed away just before Christmas, and he knows how grief can overshadow the happiest moments. He shared a favorite quote from John Maxwell: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Nelson encourages anyone going through a tough time to hang on to hope and remember that tomorrow will be better. For more information on Faith Kids, please contact Tierney Titus, Faith Presbyterian Hospice Children’s Bereavement Program Manager.

By Amee McGough