Page 7 - 2018 Spring Issue

The Positive Impact of a TCF National that the conference bags so generously donated by Open were attending the conference, that awareness offered some

to Hope are such a perfect size, comforted to know I’ll be
small comfort. It helped me reframe it.
Conference putting my bag to good use at home. I was pleased to get a I was proud that my small chapter had seven conferees in
second picture button of my son, carefully choosing a photo
from his toddler days even though he died when he was 19. attendance; three of them attending for the first time. I was
by Peggi Johnson so very proud of that. I also felt lifted up and enveloped by
While I was grateful for new workshops and new presenters, people who are a part of my day-to-day ordinary life. It was
The Orlando conference was my eighth I was also grateful for some familiar standbys which I a special treat.
consecutive national conference, which I have come to rely upon to give me the tools and incentive
think qualifies me as a “conference veteran.” I need to survive the year ahead. I was thankful for the I was relieved that I now know to allow myself some free
I’ve learned the lingo. I know how to attach inspirational opening and closing speeches: the first given time; it’s liberating to not try to do everything anymore.
stickers to my badge the right way. I know by an amazing man who gave voice to the unspeakable toll I actually enjoyed some time by the pool with those very
what the hearts and butterflies mean. I know gun violence has claimed in his family and his community. friends from my daily life.
that there will be workshops I want to attend The fact that he still finds comfort in mission moved me I am glad to know that in July of 2018, there will be St.
that will be offered simultaneously with deeply and he shifted me out of any complacency I may Louis where the “Gateway to Hope and Healing” conference
other workshops I want to attend; I realize I have about the seriousness of the problem. awaits.
will be forced to choose. I know some of the
entertainment will dovetail with my personal I appreciate that the closing speaker offered such a strong After adopting two children, Peggi resigned from her corporate career in
taste and some won’t. I know to look for voice for bereaved siblings. It moved me to tears that her telecommunications and devoted herself to full-time motherhood. When
restrooms off the beaten path. I know to plan father was there, attending his first conference in order to her son, Jordan, died by suicide at the age of 19, Peggi, her husband Jeff,
some downtime in the days following the hear his daughter’s eloquent presentation. and her daughter Claire were devastated and dumbfounded.They joined the
conference. Arlington, VA Chapter of TCF and Peggi edited the newsletter for six chapters
I was discomforted by the realization that the last time I in the Washington, DC area for two years. After her husband’s retirement,
But I’m never prepared for everything. was in Orlando, many years ago, I was there to take my they relocated to Charlottesville, VA where they joined the Piedmont, VA TCF
children to Disney World. The children running around the Chapter. Peggi serves as chapter co-leader and edits the chapter newsletter.
I was stunned by the number of attendees and hotel displaying their Mickey Mouse ears was hard for me. She is also a volunteer for hospice and writes articles for TCF.
the size, scope and depth of the conference. When I realized that some of those children were probably
There were over 60 workshops. By my count, bereaved siblings, possibly present because their parents
36 of those were new workshops, often
offered by new presenters. I was astonished
by how many people stuffed themselves into
small rooms, sitting on the floor, clearly in
search of some particular support in their
journey.

I could not believe how many butterflies and
© iko/fotolia.com hearts were affixed to name badges, meaning

that it was their first conference or that their
bereavement was less than two years. I was
astounded by how many people I met had
lost their child in the last six months; I was
awed by their courage as they figure out how
to survive their loss. From the depths of my
heart, I hope they found little nuggets that
will help them persist as they slog their way
towards thriving.

I was delighted by the warm hugs and
friendly greetings I received from people I
know from previous conferences. I was elated

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