ONLY ON ABC-7: Coping with loss during the holidays

The holidays are a time to be cheerful, but that’s easier said than done for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

Many of us are familiar with the stress that holidays can bring– the shopping, traffic and even finances.

For Terri Gallardo, it’s the son she lost seven years ago.

Her son Michael was killed in a car wreck in 2007 in Dallas, where he was living at the time.

He was an assistant band director and Eastwood High Graduate. Michael left behind a baby girl, now eight years old, and a wife.

Since then, Gallardo said her life has not been the same and neither have the holidays. Michael was killed days before Thanksgiving.

“It’s very difficult because he was always here for the holidays,” said Gallardo.

She has found some peace with Compassionate Friends- El Paso, a support group for parents who have lost a child.

“I did not want to belong to a group that had lost children,” she said.

Seven months after her son’s death, she reached out to the group.

Now, Gallardo and her husband lead the organization in El Paso. It’s been her life line she said.

“The first year I actually don’t remember the holidays.”

After years of dealing with the loss of her son it has become easier to talk about it.

Gallardo said this Christmas, she and her husband bought a much larger tree, a small a subtle step to enjoy the holidays a little more.

“Traditions are difficult when you’re missing that loved one. We try to keep the same tradition, but we have become sensitive that it’s not the same and its’ taken seven years to realize it will never be the same, but it can still be good,” said Gallardo.

Although everyone has their way of coping, she talked to ABC-7 about how she has gotten through Christmas since her son died.

“Be good to yourself, be kind to yourself, take it easy, don’t overwhelm yourself.”

“Ask your family to not forget your children, they can mention them.”

“Your emotions are going to be like a roller coaster, let them go, don’t hold back the tears.”

Compassionate Friends-El Paso meets every last Wednesday of the month, 7-9pm.

The group meets at St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 1000 Montana Ave.

For more information, call (915) 204-0658.