Coping with Grief on the Anniversary of September 11, 2001

Coping with grief is never easy and coping with grief from a tragic event is never easy. Coping with a sudden, tragic loss such as September 11, 2001 may take survivors a lifetime of coping and they still may never make sense of the senselessness of the losses. Many of the family members left behind are surviving and coping with their grief by doing good for others.

This video clip from The Patriot Ledger posted in 2007 shows how families from Massachusetts coped with the loss of their loved ones by raising money and starting organizations to help others. The clip is an excellent example of the power of healing by doing good.

A ceremony at the state capital was put together to celebrate the good that has come from the terrible losses suffered, focusing on the $10,000 raised and 190 organizations created in memories of victims from Massachusetts. Master of Ceremonies, Diane Hunt noted:

We can think of no better way to honor our loved ones than to make a difference in someone else's life. Thus we honor those killed by sharing memories of our loved ones by making them real to those who did not know them.

In remembering 9-11 for 2009, there are many ways of celebrating and remembering. Two that I found online:

• Wear Red on 9-11 - Started by two students in NYC they are encouraging people to wear read on September 11 to show your support to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 2001. People on Twitter and Facebook can also participate in special ways.
• 911 Day of Service- My Good Deed has been working since 2002 to get September 11 established as a National Day of Service, to honor the victims and those who rose to service in response to the attacks on America. This is the first official year of celebrating 911 as a day of service.

I am sure there are many other ways that 9/11 will be celebrated and remembered. If you know if others, please post them in the comments.

For more suggestions and ways of coping, read the blog post that I wrote last year on What is an Anniversary Response or Anniversary Reaction? for the Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog.