Stories

Holding Space During the Holidays

January 13, 2026

The holidays can be a tender time for families who have lost a child. While the world around them fills with celebrations, traditions, and joyful anticipation, bereaved parents often feel the weight of another holiday season their child is not here to experience. Grief doesn’t pause for the season — sometimes, it grows louder.

That understanding is what led Crescent Cove’s social work team to create a special memory-making event for bereaved families in mid-December. Eight families gathered at the Riedel Farmhouse in Fridley, a cozy and welcoming space that offered comfort, creativity, and connection.

Families arrived with photos of their children — precious reminders of lives deeply loved. Together, they decorated frames with meaningful décor, choosing colors and textures that reflected their child’s personality and joy. They painted holiday tree art, created cards using watercolor and paper collage, and spent time decorating (and enjoying!) cookies. Each activity offered a way to remember, create, and share.

Just as meaningful as the art itself were the conversations that unfolded. Families shared stories, memories, and understanding — often without needing to explain themselves. There was comfort in being surrounded by others who truly understand what it means to grieve a child, especially during the holidays.

“It’s a difficult time of year, and this was exactly the kind of event I needed,” said Tuesday, one of Crescent Cove’s nurses and also a bereaved mom. “There is so much healing in coming together with others who understand the ups and downs of the holidays as a bereaved parent. Having an opportunity to say Kinisou’s name and know that those around me knew the love and grief intermingled with the sound.”

“It was so special to see the families connect at this event,” says Pam Klein, a social worker at Crescent Cove. “It is an everyday experience for them to talk about their child who has passed, and to do so with others who knew their experience was really healing for so many of them."

This gathering was the first event of this kind hosted by Crescent Cove, and the response from families made one thing clear: spaces like this matter. Plans are already underway to offer more events in the future, creating moments of connection, remembrance, and healing for families who have lost a child.

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