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Over 5 Years In

It has taken me a long time to come around to the perspective Alan Pedersen so eloquently shared with me, “Don’t be angry at those who say, ‘Get over it.’ Rather, be happy for them that they are blessed to…

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Thoughts and Thanks

We wish to thank all our sponsors, volunteers, keynote speakers, workshop presenters, entertainers, sharing session facilitators and attendees for making our 41st National Conference a huge success. To view the Walk to Remember photos, view our Facebook album. To see photos of the Conference,…

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Voicing the Horror

On a bright Spring day, I got an e-mail from our chapter leader, Cathy, that said something like, “Anita, I just reserved the room at the hotel for the TCF national conference in Costa Mesa. Are you going to room…

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The Arch

This piece was beautifully written by Pamela Hagens. Samuel’s Mom, from the TCF Nashville Chapter, as well as read by her at the 41st TCF National Conference at the Friday luncheon on July 27, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. The…

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“That Room” Becomes Home

The setting is a little strange. “That Room” is longer than it is square. The chairs are in an oblong circle, boxes of tissue are strategically placed. Someone has made coffee and there are brownies or a cake—and all the…

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Making the Journey

Jon Shamres still chokes up when he talks about his little sister Gabrielle. “Gabi” as he fondly refers to her was the little girl with the big personality. Gabi’s beautiful smile, sense of humor, love of dance and ability to…

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Waiting for Hope

Hope: what an amazing word. What does it mean? Type hope into Google and you get 562 million hits. Merriam-Webster.com tells us that it is “to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or…

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One Life, Two Deaths

On May 11, 2009, our youngest daughter, Maayan Rachel Kaplan, was born. Twelve days later my oldest daughter, Michaela, went to sleep at her grandparents’ house and never woke the next day. While the official mourning period ended less than…

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Going Back, Going Forward 

As a national writer and speaker on grief, I am most recognized for the death of my nine-year-old son, Kelly James Carmody, who died of a malignant brain tumor in 1987. That event changed my life forever, but many may…

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Choice Points in Your Grief

      We have always had choices in our lives: Should I smile or cry now? Which thumb to suck? Which shoe to lose? Who will be my best friend? Who will be my second best friend? Which to…

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