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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, view our Conference photo album.

The 41st TCF Conference in St Louis was as good as it has ever been for me… Workshops, Sharing Sessions, Keynotes, Candle lighting ceremony, Walk to Remember, Sibling keynote were all memorable. The highlight for me was the speech by the man from Nationwide our sponsor. He broke down a few times during his speech as tragedy had found his family too. As an audience, we wept silently with him. He need not walk alone. – Ron Gallacher, Snoqualmie, WA

The Compassionate Friends National Conference was an experience I will not ever forget. It was overwhelming to see so many beautiful children that have left this earth before what I would deem way too early. My daughter passed away in January and I have not openly spoke about her enough. The reiki session I had showed me I needed to speak more about her. Just knowing that there are so many people who really understand where I am and how I feel was a very healing experience. There were many sessions that helped me. Whether it was to affirm I am doing well by my surviving children or letting me know what I can do in some circumstances that we all share. I am so grateful Compassionate Friends is out there! – Linda Tamborini, Peru, IL

My life changed in St. Louis at the TCF conference. The face-to-face fellowship with the Men in Grief gentlemen; the brokenhearted, yet courageous men sealed our commonality, our friendships for our lifetimes. Their stories openly retold, contributed to this welcome change. Introductions were hugs, then names. A cohort support group with no equal.  Also, being a first timer, the comforting atmosphere of the Life Lesson workshop taught me things I’d not known in the life of grieving. The workshops for Special Needs parents and what kind of griever I was, opened my eyes to help me on my path forward.  – Joe Pantozzi, West Deptford, NJ

After attending my fourth national conference in St Louis I have so many fond memories, new friends, healing and hope. There was no one moment, one word, one hug, one of anything that changed everything but the combination of all the little things we as bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings teach each others. – Julia West, Blaine, MN

As first timers, we weren’t sure what to expect. At home we don’t really speak about our children nearly enough because of how uncomfortable it makes people. We were happy with how much we were able to say about our kids and no one stopped us. We especially enjoyed the sharing sessions. The workshops we attended were also good and full of information. We are very happy that the TCF has this conference where we can all get together and speak about our losses and no one will think twice about it. We are looking forward to attending possibly next year. – Dawn and Brendon Tufte, Carrington, ND

We look forward to seeing you at the 42nd TCF National Conference in the City of Brotherly Love where “Hope Rings Out in Philadelphia,” July 19-21, 2018.

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