The Song “Wake Me Up When September Ends” was written by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong about his father, who died from cancer in September 1982 when Armstrong was 10 years old. It can be so incredibly hard, sometimes crippling on the anniversary of dates of something horrible or a death.
Some ways to prepare for these dates are taking some times off work, sometimes pretending the date isn’t happening, working through the day can feel very numbing, remember it’s very important to feel and express your emotions. Ask for support, even if you want to be alone, let your loved ones around you know what you’re going through, conversations and hugs can make such a different. Plan a commemoration whether this is something on your own or with friends or family. This could be taking some time at their resting place, a place they loved or simply doing something in your loved person memory. Remember your loved person, it may be challenging but listen to their favourite songs, cook their favourite meal or turn to art, turn to art to express your emotions and process the stages of grief. Be kind to yourself there are no wrong emotions on these dates.
The art Window by Lydia Ellen Design gives me the appreciation of the small things of September, taking in the crisp air, pumpkin spice latte, the smell of cinnamon, cozy pyjama’s and candle lit bubble bath. Rather than wake me up when September ends, instead marking a new way of feeling hard dates.