Hi everyone:
The lengthening days bring the promise of Spring, but like the burden of grief that we still carry, Winter seems intent on staying around. Please note the following items that we hope will help you to move forward.
1. Sharing Circles
Our Sharing Circles continue on the third Tuesday of every month at the Olde Forge Community Resource Centre, 2730 Carling Avenue (at Richmond Road) from 7pm to 9pm. The next meetings are March 19th (this week!), April 16th, May 21st and June 18th, and will continue throughout the summer. For directions and a map, please visit our website www.tcfottawa.net. There is no need to register in advance and there are no fees to attend any of our meetings or activities.
2. CHEO Brochures and Posters
The support team at CHEO have prepared and distributed English and French language leaflets and posters to publicize the TCF Balloon Release (June), the CHEO Memorial Service (October) and the TCF Worldwide Candle Lighting Celebration (December). Copies are available on our website www.tcfottawa.net under Resources. Please feel free to forward, post or copy them to any one you feel may benefit, including doctor’s offices, community centres and church/faith groups.
If you have difficulty reading .pdf files, you can download a free .pdf document reader at www.foxit.com or www.adobe.com.
3. BFO Programs
The Ottawa Chapter of Bereaved Families of Ontario is taking registrations for their adult closed group sessions. A copy of the notice is on our website www.tcfottawa.net under Activities, you can find more information and registration details on the BFO website at www.bfo-ottawa.org.
4. Weekend Retreat for Bereaved Mothers
Kimberly Ryan has sent information on her annual retreat scheduled for May in Delhi, Ontario, which is posted on our website www.tcfottawa.net under Activities. For more details and to register, please contact Kimberly at www.bereavedmothersretreat.com.
5. Trent University Dream Study
Joshua Black, an M.A. candidate at Trent University, is conducting a research study into the role of dreams in the grieving process. The study will be conducted by e-mail and telephone interviews. If you would like to participate, please contact Joshua at joshuablack@trentu.ca and mention The Compassionate Friends.
6. Website Resources
Our webmaster Mark, continues to add useful information and resources to our Chapter website www.tcfottawa.net, including a Memories page where we remember our children who have left us too soon. If you would like to include your child in this memorial, please contact Mark through the e-mail link on the website. We are also posting newsletters from other Chapters and information on relevant events that come to our attention. If you have any suggestions for material you would like to see, please contact Mark or myself.
7 Facebook Page
Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook under “The Compassionate Friends – Ottawa Chapter” where we encourage you to post comments and pictures and exchange ideas with other bereaved parents.
Please reply to this message if you would like your name to be removed from our mailling list.
Best wishes,
Andy Bond
The Compassionate Friends, Ottawa Chapter
www.tcfottawa.net
Kevin’s Dad