The Compassionate Friends (S.A.) Inc. Joy Griffiths-Schmidt Daughter of Sharon Griffiths , Sister to...

Mar, Apr, May 2012 : Issue 121, The Compassionate Friends, South Aust

Enquiries & Support

Ph: 08-8351 0344 (message bank)

Email Enquiries [email protected]

We are on the Internet www.compassionatefriendssa.org.au

Newsletter Contributions

to PO Box 26 Kent Town SA 5071 Or email [email protected]

Editors: Baden & Heather Jacob

Closing Dates For Contributions) 21 May (Jun/Jul/Aug) 21Aug (Sep/Oct/Nov) TCF SA welcomes

a wide range of contributions from members.

about all aspects of life after bereavement, together with stories of our beloved children.

The articles and poems in this newsletter are views

held by the individual contributors. Our aim is to provide

choice of information about bereavement, and

life after bereavement. Photos for memorial pages copied & returned with care

President Tony Hurren Treasurer Baden Jacob Secretary

Jose Koppelman-Guthrie Committee Heather Jacob Marion Murphy Pat Ross

Rosa Cantattore

Facilitators Rosa Cantatore (Modbury)

Baden & Heather (Kensington)

Mail to TCFSA Secretary PO Box 26 Kent Town SA 5071

The Compassionate Friends (S.A.) Inc. Offering friendship & support Issue 121 between bereaved parents & siblings Mar. Apr, May 2012

TCF SA Mission Statement The Compassionate Friends is a non-denominational, mutual self-help organization offering friendship & understanding to bereaved parents & siblings. The primary purpose is to assist each other during the grief experienced upon the death of a child, & to support our efforts to achieve physical & emotional health. The secondary purpose is to provide information & education about bereaved parents & siblings. The objective is to help those in the community including family, friends, co-workers & professionals to offer appropriate support. We have no religious affiliation.

Something I wanted to share .. by Heather Jacob

After the loss of a child it is always difficult to find and feel a purpose in life

Energy levels are so low it is often just enough to breathe and get through the day

This passage below is something I would read every day to help me get through

the day,

It brought up emotions from deep inside and eventually helped me somehow

??????

BELIEVE

Believe that life is more than just work…

Believe you have the power to choose to do what you love,

and only what you love...

Believe that you do not have to compromise...

Believe life is more extraordinary than simply finding balance…

Believe that life is meant to be shared in joy, in humility, in love and

in grief …

Believe our world can live in cooperation, co-creation &

collaboration…

Believe that you can experience happiness full-time, not just

sometimes…

Believe that the stars in the sky are there to remind you

of the vastness of your power…

Believe that there is nothing too great,

or too small that the heart of the world can’t transform with “LOVE”

believe that there is nothing more important in this life than being

love, being truth, being free…

believe it’s the time for humanity to break out of the prison of the

mind…

BELIEVE IN LOVE !!!!

Author unknown

Mar, Apr, May 2012 : Issue 121 The Compassionate Friends, South Aust

2

STRENGTH FOR THE FUTURE

“What is life’s heaviest burden? “

a youth asked.

“ To have nothing to carry – because it atrophies all your strength”

was the reply.

The past is for WISDOM

The present for ACTION

The future for JOY

“Author unknown”

Two men looked out of the prison bars

The one saw mud .. the other saw the stars !!

“Frederick Langbridge”

The way to love anything

Is to realize that it might be lost

“G.K. Chesterton”

He spake well who said that graves are the footprints of angels. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


3

“HOPE”

A person can live several weeks without food and days without water, but nev-

er without hope.

Because people had hope in their hearts, no drought, flood, earthquake or

bad season could stop them returning to their homes, farmsteads and fields…

to rebuild and replant .

In this search for a new source of natural rubber in plant matter, Thomas Edi-

son made numerous experiments. But each in turn proved unsuccessful.

After his 50,000th failure a discouraged assistant said to him, “Mr Edison, we

have had no results”.

“Results!” exclaimed the great inventor with enthusiasm, “we have wonderful

results. We now know 50,000 things which don’t work.. let’s get on with the

next experiment !”

Conflicts would have ended in catastrophe without the hope of state leaders

who against all odds, preserved to pursue peace.

Patients in intensive care could never go on fighting for life if they did not

have hope ! It keeps them going.

Hope brings religious people to their churches, synagogues, mosques and

temples in search of God’s help. Without hope women and men are doomed

to despair, frustration and defeat.

There is plenty of reason for hope, if you will only look for it

Sorrow is the toothache in the heart.

Written by Heinich Heine.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your

delight. - Kahlil Gibran


4

Anniversaries

The name of your Child/ren has been published here from the list of current members. If you

would prefer this not to appear please let us know and we will respect your wishes.

Families are welcome to submit up to 30 words about their child on this Anniversary page.

Some families also write & enclose a good quality photo for a memorial page to their child.

Forever Loved Forever Young

Forever Remembered

March

James Pisoni Son of Pat & Carlo, Brother to Simon, David, Timothy

& Nicholas (Deceased) 03 Mar 2010

Paul Munro Johnson Son of Rob & Jenni, Brother to Naomi & Heath 06 Mar 2010

Jodi Pettit Daughter of Catherine & Tony, Sister to Annwen & Bryn 08 Mar 1985

Matthew Flood Son of Jenny & David, Brother to Tom, Sam & Johanna 09 Mar 1990

Chantel Joy

Griffiths-Schmidt Daughter of Martin Schmidt , Sister to Mykia-Rose 13 Mar 1998

Chantel Joy

Griffiths-Schmidt Daughter of Sharon Griffiths , Sister to Mykia-Rose 13 Mar 1998

Bradley Marsland Son of Jenny & Peter, Brother to Adam & Kelly 19 Mar 2009

Stephen ADLER Son of Marion Murphy, Brother to Suzanne 25 Mar 2000

Michael Doukas Son of Zora & Peter, Brother to Angelika 27 Mar 2011

Darren Gowland Son of Coralie 28 Mar 2011

Daniel MARTIN Son of Lisa & John Condo (Father Mark Martin), Brother to

Timothy & Kieran Martin, Dylan & Taylor Condo 29 Mar 2011

April

Renee Guthrie Daughter of Jose, Sister to Sean 01 Apr 1999

Craig Steele Son of Rhonda & Kenneth, Brother to Matthew 01 Apr 2002

Quinten John Coffey Son of Denise & Brian, Brother to Joshua & wife Emma 11 Apr 2003

Anouska Crookall Daughter of Ljubinka & Rob, Sister to Sacha 13 Apr 2007

Jarrad Hashim Son of Gillain & Ron, Brother to Marissa 16 Apr 2002

Gene Arthur Coffey Son of Denise & Brian, Brother to Joshua & wife Emma 27 Apr 1976

Matthew Atkinson Son of Helen, Brother to Shaun 30 Apr 1994


5

May

Matthew John Keeley Son of Trevor & Jane, Brother to Daniel & Sara 09 May 2006

Hayley Victoria Claridge Daughter of Janet 15 May 2009

Mark Baden Jacob Son of Baden & Heather, Brother to Tara 20 May 1999

Jack Klemich Son of Oren & Gill, Brother to Georgie & Sofie 25 May 2009

Kirsty Rea Daughter of Judi & Will, Sister to Tricia 29 May 1992

Anniversaries

Forever Loved Forever Young

Forever Remembered


6

Mourning in MarriagesMourning in MarriagesMourning in MarriagesMourning in Marriages

This grief Theodore realised, was one of the few separating things in their life together. He couldn’t help

Suzannah here, he couldn’t reach her. This particular part of her had died. If she had wept and grieved,

he could have comforted her: the ground would have bloomed again. But it was a sealed over area no one

could reach, where nothing would ever grow.

He learned then about the isolation of grief, even for those in the SAME grief. GRIEF can’t be shared.

Every one carries it alone, his/her own burden, hi/her own way.

By Anne Morrow Lindbergh, “Dearly Beloved”

MYTHSMYTHSMYTHSMYTHS An extract from when the bough breaks,

written by Judith R, Bernstein. Ph.D.

You know 70% of marriages break up after the death of a child, one mother said with an air of resignation.

I’ve heard so many newly bereaved parents quote that prophesy of doom and express fear that the tragedy

of the loss of their child will be completely compounded by the demise of their marriage.

The myth permeates the popular literature , winds through the mass media, and gets passed around by

word of mouth. I don’t know where these numbers originated, but they are repeated with a great deal of

regularity and a great deal of assurance. I nodded my head in agreement, having heard the numbers quot-

ed so authoritatively so often that I believed them too .

When this study was completed and we found a low level of divorce and separation among the parents we

interviewed. I set about asking myself how this group of parents differed from the “ norm”, the norm being

all those bereaved parents who wound up divorced. Perhaps this group of volunteer interviewees was more

stable, more intact, healthier than the general population.

That made sense. Yes that was it!!! This group was at the high end of the mental health spectrum

Myths Continued …

I was so caught up in the 70% myth that I felt I had to justify why this group did not confirm to it.

It finally dawned on me that perhaps the myth may be a particularly compelling fiction.

What the study found!!!

The compassionate Friends (TCF) members who volunteered to be interviewed are not representative of

all bereaved parents. People who attend TCF are likely to be particularly outgoing, to live near urban

centres , and so forth.

People who elect to participate in scientific studies are different from other people who choose not to par-

ticipate. They may , for example, be more willing to examine their innermost feelings and more willing to

reveal those feelings to a stranger.

They may be more inherently biased or altruistic.

These differences make the studies inherently biased and the numbers suspect .

Numbers present only a slanted picture of what actually goes on.

How would you count the couples who divorced after the death of their child only to remarry several years

later. ???

All manner of variations on the theme take place with no way to account for the variations in a numerical

way.

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.- Thomas Campbell


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12 Things Happy People Do Differently

Through the grieving process after the loss of a child it is difficult to feel happiness !!! These are some things to think about ..

Maybe we all have to learn how to become happy again ???? Here are some points that may help ????

Studies conducted by positivity psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky point to 12 things happy

people do differently to increase their levels of happiness.

These are things that we can start doing today to feel the effects of more happiness in

our lives.

(Check out her book The How of Happiness.)

1. Express gratitude. – When you appreciate what you have, what you

have appreciates in value. Kinda cool right? So basically, being grateful for

the goodness that is already evident in your life will bring you a deeper

sense of happiness. And that’s without having to go out and buy anything.

It makes sense. We’re gonna have a hard time ever being happy if we aren’t

thankful for what we already have.

2. Cultivate optimism. – Winners have the ability to manufacture

their own optimism. No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the

chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it. She knows

failure only as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life. Peo-

ple who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless op-

portunities, especially in trying times.

3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison. – Comparing your-

self to someone else can be poisonous. If we’re somehow ‘better’ than the

person that we’re comparing ourselves to, it gives us an unhealthy sense

of superiority. Our ego inflates – KABOOM – our inner Kanye West comes

out! If we’re ‘worse’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, we

usually discredit the hard work that we’ve done and dismiss all the progress

that we’ve made. What I’ve found is that the majority of the time this type

of social comparison doesn’t stem from a healthy place. If you feel called to

compare yourself to something, compare yourself to an earlier version of

yourself.

Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.- Ros-

siter Worthington Raymond


8

12 Things Happy People Do Differently [Continued]

4. Practice acts of kindness. – Performing an act of kindness releases

serotonin in your brain. (Serotonin is a substance that has TREMENDOUS

health benefits, including making us feel more blissful.) Selflessly helping

someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside. What’s even cooler

about this kindness kick is that not only will you feel better, but so will people

watching the act of kindness. How extraordinary is that? Bystanders will be

blessed with a release of serotonin just by watching what’s going on. A side

note is that the job of most anti-depressants is to release more serotonin.

Move over Pfizer, kindness is kicking ass and taking names.

5. Nurture social relationships. – The happiest people on the planet

are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships. Did you know studies

show that people’s mortality rates are DOUBLED when they’re lonely?

WHOA! There’s a warm fuzzy feeling that comes from having an active circle

of good friends who you can share your experiences with. We feel connected

and a part of something more meaningful than our lonesome existence.

6. Develop strategies for coping. – How you respond to the

‘craptastic’ moments is what shapes your character. Sometimes crap hap-

pens – it’s inevitable. Forrest Gump knows the deal. It can be hard to come

up with creative solutions in the moment when manure is making its way up

toward the fan. It helps to have healthy strategies for coping pre-rehearsed,

on-call, and in your arsenal at your disposal.

7. Learn to forgive. – Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your

well-being. You see, your mind doesn’t know the difference between past and

present emotion. When you ‘hate’ someone, and you’re continuously think-

ing about it, those negative emotions are eating away at your immune sys-

tem. You put yourself in a state of suckerism (technical term) and it stays

with you throughout your day.

8. Increase flow experiences. – Flow is a state in which it feels like

time stands still. It’s when you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you

become one with the task. Action and awareness are merged. You’re not

hungry, sleepy, or emotional. You’re just completely engaged in the activity

that you’re doing. Nothing is distracting you or competing for your focus.


9

12 Things Happy People Do Differently

[Continued]

9. Savor life’s joys. – Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down

to enjoy the joy. It’s easy in a world of wild stimuli and omnipresent move-

ment to forget to embrace life’s enjoyable experiences. When we neglect to ap-

preciate, we rob the moment of its magic. It’s the simple things in life that can

be the most rewarding if we remember to fully experience them.

10. Commit to your goals. – Being wholeheartedly dedicated to doing

something comes fully-equipped with an ineffable force. Magical things start

happening when we commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to get some-

where. When you’re fully committed to doing something, you have no choice

but to do that thing. Counter-intuitively, having no option – where you can’t

change your mind – subconsciously makes humans happier because they

know part of their purpose.

11. Practice spirituality. – When we practice spirituality or religion, we

recognize that life is bigger than us. We surrender the silly idea that we are

the mightiest thing ever. It enables us to connect to the source of all creation

and embrace a connectedness with everything that exists. Some of the most

accomplished people I know feel that they’re here doing work they’re “called to

do.”

12. Take care of your body. – Taking care of your body is crucial to being

the happiest person you can be. If you don’t have your physical energy in good

shape, then your mental energy (your focus), your emotional energy (your

feelings), and your spiritual energy (your purpose) will all be negatively affect-

ed. Did you know that studies conducted on people who were clinically de-

pressed showed that consistent exercise raises happiness levels just as much

as Zoloft? Not only that, but here’s the double whammy… Six months later,

the people who participated in exercise were less likely to relapse because they

had a higher sense of self-accomplishment and self-worth.

Have a happy day!


10

THE MOURNER’S CODE

Ten SelfTen SelfTen SelfTen Self----Compassionate PrinciplesCompassionate PrinciplesCompassionate PrinciplesCompassionate Principles

Though you should reach out to others as you journey through grief, you should net feel

obligated to accept unhelpful responses you may receive from some people. You are the

one grieving, and as such, you have certain “rights” no one should try to take away from

you.

The following list is intended both to empower you to heal and to decide how others can

and cannot help. This is not to discourage you from reaching out to others for help, but

rather to assist you in distinguishing useful responses from hurtful ones.

1. You have the right to experience your own unique grief.

No one else will grieve exactly the same way you do. So, when you turn to others for

help, don’t allow them to tell you what you should or should not be feeling.

2. You have the right to talk about your grief.

Talking about your grief will help you heal. Seek out others who will allow you to

talk as much as you want, as often as you want, about your grief. If at times you don’t feel

like talking, you also have the right to be silent.

3. You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions.

Confusion, disorientation, fear, guilt and relief are just a few of the emotions you

might feel as part of your grief journey. Others may try to tell you that feeing angry, for

example, is wrong. Don’t take these judgemental responses to heart. Instead, find listeners

who will accept your feelings without condition.

4. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional limits.

Your feelings of loss and sadness will probably leave you feeling fatigued. Respect

what your body and mind are telling you. Get daily rest. Eat balanced meals. And don’t

allow others to push you into doing things you don’t feel ready to do.

5. You have the right to experience “griefbursts”.

Sometimes, out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can

be frightening, but is normal and natural. Find someone who understands and will let you

talk it out.


11

THE MOURNER’S CODE

Ten SelfTen SelfTen SelfTen Self----Compassionate Principles [Continued]Compassionate Principles [Continued]Compassionate Principles [Continued]Compassionate Principles [Continued]

6. You have the right to make use of ritual.

The funeral ritual does more than acknowledge the death of someone loved. It helps

provide you with the support of caring people. More importantly, the funeral is a way for

you to mourn. If others tell you the funeral or other healing rituals such as these are silly or

unnecessary, don’t listen!

7. You have the right to embrace your spirituality.

If faith is part of your life, express it in ways that feel appropriate to you. Allow your-

self to be around people who understand and support your religious beliefs. If you feel angry

at God, find someone to talk with who won’t be critical of your feelings of hurt and aban-

donment.

8. You have the right to search for meaning.

You may find yourself asking, “Why did he or she die? Why this way? Why now?”

Some of your questions may have answers, but some may not. And watch out for the clichéd

responses some people may give you. Comments like, “It was God’s will” or “Think of what

you still have to be thankful for” are not helpful and you do not have to accept them.

9. You have the right to treasure your memories.

Memories are one of the legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. You will

always remember. Instead of ignoring your memories, find others with whom you can share

them.

10. You have the right to move toward your grief and heal.

Reconciling your grief will not happen quickly. Remember, grief is a process not an

event. Be patient and tolerant with yourself and avoid people who are impatient and intoler-

ant with you. Neither you nor those around you must forget that death of someone loved

changes your life forever.

[Extract from “Healing Your Grieving Heart” by Alan D. Wolfelt. PH.D recipient of ‘The

Assoc. of Death Education and Counselling” - Death Educator award.]


12

One often calms one's grief by recounting it.- Pierre Corneille

Chapter Meetings

VERY IMPORTANT:

Please call our message bank number below to advise that you WILL be at-tending a group 24 hours prior. Our facilitators travel long distances and need

to know that there will be someone attending the friendship group. Ph : 8351 0344 (Message Bank)

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO MEETINGS IN JANUARY PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO MEETINGS IN JANUARY PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO MEETINGS IN JANUARY PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO MEETINGS IN JANUARY

Adelaide Chapter 7.30pm 1st Wednesday of each month

St Matthew’s Hall 146 Kensington Road, Marryatville

Library available

Modbury Chapter 7.30pm 2nd Tuesday of each month

St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall

Cnr Golden Way & Wynn Vale Dr, Wynn Vale

Library available

Committee Meetings 7.30pm 3rd Monday of each month

St Matthew’s Hall 146 Kensington Road, Marryatville.

Minutes can be posted to members on request

FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Dear Members, Welcome to our first edition for 2012 and I do hope that you were all able to manage through the difficult and challenging Christmas and New Year period and that you were able to find some peace and healing.

I can report that our dedicated committee have had some successful fund raising events which ensures that our operating costs will be covered for at least the rest of this year , which is good news indeed. In this issue we have focussed on helpful advice from grief professionals which are on pages 6 through to 11 and our hope is that you will find their advice useful on your grief journey. Finally a reminder of our next social lunch on Sunday March the 25th. The details are on page 17. The very best of wishes and regards, Tony Hurren PRESIDENT


13

SUPPORT GROUP NEWS SUPPORT GROUP NEWS SUPPORT GROUP NEWS SUPPORT GROUP NEWS

We hold a support group on the first Wednesday of each month of the year except for January .

Time ……… 7.30 p.m.

Where………. St Matt’s church

Kensington ROAD KENSINGTON

It is an informal and friendly evening where people can come along and

be with like minded people and chat freely, share feelings and discuss ways of rebuilding a new life without our beautiful children ..

7.30 p.m. – approx. 9.00 p.m.

Heather & Baden Jacob x

The angels are always near to those who are grieving , to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand

of God. - Eileen Elias Freeman


14


15

When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars And he will make the face of heav'n so fine-

William Shakespeare


16

"Death is nothing at all.

I have only slipped away to the next room.

I am I and you are you.

Whatever we were to each other,

That, we still are."

- Author Unknown

"Perhaps they are not stars, but openings in the Heaven Where the love

of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know

they are happy." -

Author Unknown

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. - From a headstone in

Ireland


17

In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing. - Robert Ingersoll

!! REMINDER !!

Another Important Date for your Calendar!

SOCIAL LUNCH

WHEN … Sunday March 25TH

WHERE… Walkers Arms Hotel

36 North East Road, WALKERVILLE

TIME .. 12 noon

Join us for a social lunch … Friendly and casual

Please RSVP before MARCH 19TH

PHONE ...…. 83510344 and leave a message

OR:

BADEN …….. [email protected] HEATHER … [email protected]

Hope to see you there.Hope to see you there.Hope to see you there.Hope to see you there.


18

What would you like to see

more of

in your newsletter? Some suggestions on how you can help by

sharing with other parents and siblings.

Memorial pages Quotes

One-liners Poems Reviews Letters

Thoughts Photos Stories

Strategies Anniversary wishes

To give us feedback contact

Baden & Heather

Email: [email protected]

Ph: 08 82767717

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of

knowing when our time is up, we will then begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.-

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Do You Want Your Copy of The Newsletter Sent To

You IN COLOUR Via Email?

You are welcome to receive a copy of each Newsletter as a PDF file.

Should you wish to do so, and view it in colour, then call

Baden & Heather 82767717

Unwanted Mail

A “Do not mail, Do not call” service is offered by ADMA (the Australian Direct Marketing Association) for those receiving unwanted mail/calls after someone’s death. To have a name taken off the list of more than 500

companies, either go to www.adma.com.au

“Do not mail, Do not call register, or write to

ADMA, Reply paid 464, Kings Cross NSW 1340

Include the full name, address and phone number of people to be put on the register. It may reduce any let-ters, home phone, mobile phone, SMS text messages,

and emails being generated by marketing lists.


19

Every mortal loss is an immortal gain.- William Blake

Some Internet Grief Resources

www.centerforloss.com—Alan Wolfelt’s Center

for Loss and Life Transition, Fort Collins, USA

www.dougy.org –National center for grieving chil-

dren and families, a non-profit online resource.

www.grieflossrecovery.com -Professional, well

designed site. Offers reflections on grief and loss

through poems, articles, a newsletter, memoirs, me-

morials, links, and on-line grief support.

www.hugstraining.com -Develops and facilitates

specialized programs that teach children and adults

how to reinvest in life and living following a life-

altering event such as the death of a loved one, di-

vorce, violence, neglect or disability.

www.silentgrief.com -A message of hope for the

grieving heart of those who have suffered miscar-

riage and later child loss. Professional articles, user

submissions (stories and poems) and chat boards

are available.

www.gottrouble.com -Delivers real world solu-

tions to people facing serious legal and financial

trouble through immediate access to vital infor-

mation and resources.

www.childrensgrief.net -Linda Goldman's books

and seminars give a fresh and hopeful view of to-

day's kids and of how we, as caregivers can work

together as a "village grief team" in a new para-

digm.

www.griefloss.org -The Center for Grief is a non-

profit organization dedicated to offering help and

hope for the difficult times in our lives through

therapy, counseling and education in the areas of

complicated grief, trauma, general bereavement and

loss.

www.aarp.org/griefandloss/ -A collection of re-

sources and a community of care sponsored by the

AARP offering education, on-line sharing and a toll

-free Grief Support line.

www.caregivertips.blogspot.com.au -Material for the

support of the caregivers.

www.adultsiblinggrief.com -This site is ded-

icated to the formation of a support communi-

ty for those who have suffered the devastating

loss of an adult sibling.

www.webhealing.com -This page is meant to

be a place men and women can discuss or

simply browse to understand and honor the

many different paths to heal strong emotions.

Tom Golden LCSW of Washington D.C. is

an internationally known psychotherapist,

author, and speaker on the topic of healing

from loss.

www.hospicenet.org -An invaluable resource

offering information that covers all aspects of

hospice care; from selecting a hospice to be-

ing a patient and what you need to know.

Hospice Net is an independent, nonprofit 501

(c) (3) organization working exclusively

through the Internet.

www.griefwatch.com -As part of its mission

to the bereaved, Grief Watch and its compan-

ion program, Perinatal Loss, publish books,

videotapes, audiotapes and other helpful re-

sources in an effort to offer spiritual, emo-

tional and other support to persons who have

suffered loss.

www.sharegrief.com -On-line grief counsel-

ing by skilled professionals.

www.bereavementmag.com

www.nationalallianceforgrievingchildren.o

rg


20

*************************************

“Start with yourself and let your love grow outward in ever ex-

panding circles”

****************************************************************************************************************************

“No matter where you are or what your circumstances, it is al-

ways possible to experience boundless love..”

************************************************************************************************************************

“Spend time alone and dis-cover your most

constant and cherished com-panion” ....

************************************************************************************************************************

Resources Grieflink (well recommended)

National Association for Loss and Grief

www.grieflink.asn.au

TCF New South Wales

www.thecompassionatefriends.org.au

TCF Queensland

www.compassionatefriendsqld.org.au

TCF Western Australia

www.compassionatefriendswa.org.au

TCF Mandurah

www.tcfmandurah.bravehost.com

[email protected]

TCF Victoria

www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au

TCF UK

www.tcf.org.uk

TCF USA

www.compassionatefriends.org

Bereaved Parents USA

www.bereavedparentsusa.org

AliveAlone

Parents with no surviving children

www.alivealone.org

Rural Resources

Adelaide Hills Bereavement Service

Ph 08-8393 1888

Southern Fleurieu Bereavement Support

Ph 08-8552 0600

Please contact us with details


21

Membership The first 3 issues of our newsletter are complimentary. After that, a membership subscription is due on

30 June each year.

Send $30.00 to The Treasurer, TCF SA, PO Box 26 Kent Town, SA 5071.

Cheques made payable to TCF (SA) Inc.

or phone us on 08 83510344 for direct credit details.

The information you provide is used with your permission to send out the newsletter and anniversary cards,

and to remember your child on our anniversary page. Should your details appear incorrectly in the future, we would appreciate your contacting us.

If you would prefer not to be contacted in this way, please let us know & we will respect your wishes.

We also mail out to members details of memorial and social events,

and invitations from time to time on educating the community about life after losing our beloved children.

About your child

Name ___________________________Date of Birth _____________Date of Death__________________

Manner of death (This information is kept confidential and is for our records only)

______________________________________________________________________________________

About your family (as you would like it to appear in the newsletter)

Parent/s Name/s________________________________________________________________________

Sibling/s Name/s _______________________________________________________________________

Your Private Details

Address_______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Email_________________________________ _______Telephone________________________________

Signature__________________________________________________

Membership Subscription Your membership subscriptions are used to produce the newsletter, to subsidise social, support & memorial functions throughout the year,

to maintain our libraries, for anniversary cards to all our families, to subsidise a memorial notice for our children in The Advertiser on International Children’s Memorial Day,

The Compassionate Friends (S.A.) Inc. Joy Griffiths-Schmidt Daughter of Sharon Griffiths , Sister to...

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Transcript of The Compassionate Friends (S.A.) Inc. Joy Griffiths-Schmidt Daughter of Sharon Griffiths , Sister to...