https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/our-first-compassionate-friends-conference/
They told us at the conference that re-entry back into the world would be difficult, and they were right. Sometimes something would just stop me in my tracks and I never heard another word for the rest of the presentation,…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/i-am-seans-grandmother/
On Sept 1, 2002, I stood in the room at the hospital looking into the face of my daughter Denise and seeing only pain. I knew I was about to enter into the black hole. I felt the shooting sting…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/a-transformative-story-of-grief/
When I worked with children and families who had experienced trauma, life-threatening illness, or loss, I often found that asking people to “tell their story” was a helpful way to begin our conversation. One night, I went to visit with…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/what/
The last place you want to be is in a room full of people, where they divide you into the following groups: Only Child, Long-Term Illness, Siblings, Overdose—and my personal favorite—Sudden Death. We had already gone around the wide circle…
Having attended 19 National Conferences of The Compassionate Friends (TCF) in a row — from Portland in 1999 to St. Louis in 2018 — I have presented, co-presented or been a panelist on workshops for 17. I was asked by…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/what-do-you-remember/
Isn’t it interesting how often we speak of our failing memories associated with deep grief, but at the same time have the sharpest recollection of certain moments woven in with the loss of our children? The remembrance of what was…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/support-groups-assisting-your-healing-process/
It was November 13, 1988, when I experienced the most horrific, unthinkable and unimaginable event that changed my life forever. My son Michael, at age 16, died violently in an automobile accident. I’m sharing this with you because being a…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/ten-year-anniversary-is-a-life-marker/
“The 10th anniversary of Helen’s death is coming up,” I told my husband. “I think we should do something significant—write a large check to the food bank or the public library.” John nodded his head in agreement. Helen died from…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/tcfs-transformation/
I have been honored to serve as President of The Compassionate Friends’ National Board of Directors. After six years of service, I now leave this all-volunteer board confident in our leadership’s commitment to expand TCF’s outreach to grieving families nationwide. Every…
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/ghost-town/
I live in another woman’s house. I drive another woman’s car. I wear her clothes and sleep in her bed. Sometimes, I stand in her closet and finger her jewelry and think things like, Why so many necklaces? and Where…
