Hi everyone:
As we slide relentlessly into the shorter, darker, cooler days of November and December, it is perhaps easy to recall the feelings of helplessness and despair that characterised the early days and weeks of our grief journey. However, just as we know that in time, Spring will come again, so we hold on to the hope that we will survive the darkest days of our grief.
We hope that you can keep those warm thoughts in mind and join us at one or more of the following events and activities.
1. Sharing Circles – every month
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, without a break for Christmas and New Year. The next meetings will be on November 19th, December 17th, January 21st (2014) and February 18th. 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. Candle Lighting Celebration – December 8th
Our annual celebration in memory of all children who have died will take place on Sunday, December 8th at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 971 Woodroffe Avenue. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Please bring a picture of your child, preferably in a free-standing frame, and arrive by 6:45pm for a prompt 7:00pm start. Candles will be provided with refreshments to follow. Please forward the attached poster to anyone you feel may like to join us, or print and post it in your workplace, doctor’s office, community centre or place of worship.
We are putting the final touches on this year’s program, but if you have any special readings or music that you would like to be included, please let us know by replying to this message before November 18th.
3. Chapter Website and Facebook Page
Our Chapter website www.tcfottawa.net provides information on Chapter activities and includes several resources to help parents in need of support. In particular, a list of contacts to call just to talk (“Find a Friend”), and a page to Remember our Children. If you would like your child’s name and picture to be included, please send a note to our webmaster through the contacts page.
You can also find us on Facebook as “The Compassionate Friends – Ottawa Chapter”. Please visit and “like” the page and post comments or messages.
4. Coping with the Death of a Child
Several of our parents contributed to an article for Ottawa Parenting Times Magazine aimed at helping other bereaved parents, and also at helping those who have not suffered the loss to understand the impact on their lives. The article is scheduled for publication in an upcoming edition. Please look out for it and send us your feedback and comments.
5. Unique Benefits of Peer Support – Carleton University Study
The Compassionate Friends Ottawa (TCF), along with Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO), Canadian Parents of Murdered Children (CPOMC), Hospice Ottawa and other agencies is participating in a study by students in the Carleton University Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program of the benefits of peer support. The project has received initial approval and the team expects to be conducting interviews early in the New Year. If you would like to particpate in this study, please reply to this message and we will pass your name on to the team. There will be a formal request for participants in the New Year.
6. Dreams in Bereavement – Trent University Study
Earlier this year, several of our parents responded to a request from Joshua Black, an MA candidate at Trent University, to describe their dreams of their deceased loved one. Joshua has now graduated with a MA in Psychology and made his thesis available to those who contributed. If you would like a copy, even for personal interest, please reply to this e-mail and I will forward it to you.
Best wishes,
Andy Bond
The Compassionate Friends, Ottawa Chapter
www.tcfottawa.net
Kevin’s Dad
