I’m a resolution person. I’m grateful for new beginnings and ways to celebrate and honor loved ones intentionally. Whether it was last year or decades ago that you lost someone close to your heart, make this the year to do something that is a purposeful act remembrance. In my book, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, there are eighty-five ideas to commemorate those we never want to forget. I call these strategies Forget Me Nots.

Five Forget Me Nots for the New Year

  1. Embrace Throwback Thursday. Post a picture of your loved one on social media. There’s no need to do this every week, but when you do, use the hashtag #tbt. Making loved ones part of your regular digital life keeps them remarkably present.
  2. Frame a love-worn recipe card. Enjoy it as a piece of art in your kitchen.
  3. Gather a few pieces of their clothing and transform them into throw pillows.
  4. Upload several cherished photos to a Google Doc. Invite friends and family to add photos, too. Encourage everyone to write a brief story or caption to accompany each image. Take joy in remembering together.
  5. Enjoy their favorite foods. My mother loved chocolate ice cream and my father relished Chicken Parmesan. When I eat either one, I feel a profound and wonderful sense of closeness to my parents.

Remembering can be quick and doesn’t require too much effort; it can happen easily and at anytime — whenever you feel that recognizable tug. Here’s to a new year of remembering!