Page 13 - 2016 Spring-Summer Issue

A shell of her former self, she is empty, and the act of going wants joy; she wants to believe in joy again, allowing it into
on is too overwhelming to bear, so she sleeps. But sleep is her heart without the fear that lingers so closely behind it.
just another ruse in the mysteries of grief, waking in a fog,
feeling happiness until the crash of reality sends you back to For so long she has muddled through her life, forcing
the puddle you left behind earlier, back into the sorrow that the faded smile to appear, broken and set to burst as she
echoes from the emptiness. attempts to get through one more day. Unwrapping sad
stories and heartbreak that go on unnoticed, with the tears
Using compassion to embrace this place of grief she begins of what was, she has to learn to move forward.
her pursuit, seeking more love, true happiness and pure
joy. But joy does not just appear, it must be discovered, I don’t remember how long it took or if there was a day
unearthed beneath the debris that sadness has dragged in, that I started living again. I had fought against the current
blanketing the life she once knew, as it masks all the dreams for so long, I did not notice when it changed directions.
she previously held. I did not feel the embrace of joy when it first arrived, or
the compassion around me when I let it in. It was a slow
This new beginning was hers to catch, the time to uncover the melting of the iceberg, revealing a bitter taste of joy with its
obscurity and allow in the light. Exploring her motivation, mixture of happiness and guilt, but it was a beginning.
she unravels the softness that she has cultivated through grief.
This kindness fills her heart, captivated by the beauty she had While searching for a reason to go on after losing their five-year old
to be taught when stumbling through heartache.
son Ryan, she discovered that giving back could actually save her. Tina
The prospect of joy continues to intrigue her, commanding
her attention to pursue the changes she needs to explore. She Zarlenga is married with two children, sharing stories of inspiration

and hope, as well as her journey through grief with emotional essays of

life on her website Unraveling My Heart the Write Way, http://www.

unravelingmyheartthewriteway.com.

Connect with Other Bereaved Parents, Grandparents, and

Siblings Everyday on TCF’s Online Support Community

The Compassionate Friends offers “virtual Chapters” through an Online Support Community (live chats).
This program was established to encourage connecting and sharing among parents, grandparents, and
siblings (over the age of 18) grieving the death of a child. The rooms supply support, encouragement, and
friendship. The friendly atmosphere encourages conversation among friends; friends who understand the
emotions you’re experiencing. There are general bereavement sessions as well as more specific sessions:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
9:00 - 10:00 AM EST 9:00 - 10:00 PM EST 9:00 - 10:00 PM EST 8:00 - 9:00 PM EST

Parents/Grandparents/Siblings Bereaved Less than Two Years Parents/Grandparents/Siblings No Surviving Children
9:00 - 10:00 PM EST 9:00 - 10:00 PM EST 10:00 - 11:00 PM EST 9:00 - 10:00 PM EST
Parents/Grandparents/Siblings Bereaved More than Two Years Parents/Grandparents/Siblings Parents/Grandparents/Siblings

Friday Saturday Sunday
10:00 - 11:00 AM EST 9:00 - 10:00 PM EST 8:00 - 9:00 PM EST

Parents/Grandparents/Siblings Parents/Grandparents/Siblings Survivors of Suicide
9:00 - 10:00 PM EST 10:00 - 11:00 PM EST 9:00 - 10:00 PM EST
Parents/Grandparents/Siblings Parents/Grandparents/Siblings Parents/Grandparents/Siblings
9:00 - 10:00 PM EST
Pregnancy/Infant Loss ©Arndt Vladimir/fotolia.com
10:00 - 11:00 PM EST

Parents/Grandparents/Siblings

Visit www.compassionatefriends.org/Find_Support/Online-Community/Online_Support.aspx for
more information and to register.

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