Dear Compassionate Friend:
Despite the occasional cold snap, the lengthening days hold the promise that Spring is on the way. And when we experience setbacks in the seasons of our grief journey, hold on to the hope that we also are moving gradually towards a more positive condition. It is not “closure”, but a growing acceptance and a strengthening ability to build our new life around the loss of our beloved children.
1. Sharing Circles
Our Circles will continue on the third Tuesday of each month from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at The Olde Forge Community Resource Centre. The next meetings will be on February 16th, March 15th, April 19th and May 17th. There are no fees to attend any of our events or activities and no need to register in advance. Please arrive a few minutes early to check in. For directions and a map, please visit our Chapter website www.tcfottawa.net.
2. Upcoming Events
An early warning to mark your calendar for our annual events (dates subject to confirmation, details nearer the date):
– June 7th – Annual General Meeting at The Olde Forge
– June 18th – Balloon Release at The Butterfly Garden at CHEO
– July 16th – Summer Social at the Bond’s
3. 10-week Closed Groups
Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO) Ottawa Region is currently accepting registrations for several closed group workshops starting in March, including Loss of Child, Loss by Suicide and Parent / Youth Art Therapy for Grief. The attached brochure gives details. For more information and to register, please contact Deborah Krogan at 613.567.4278 or office.
4. Restorative Yoga
Some months ago, Fiona Rhodes wrote of how restorative yoga had allowed her to come to terms with the loss of her son Jason. She has more recently written about her experience to share with others suffering a loss of a loved one: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/01/the-start-of-my-journey-with-restorative-yoga-my-safe-space/. Please contact Fiona directly if you would like to find out more about restorative yoga.
5. Newsletters
We continue to post newsletters on our Chapter website (www.tcfottawa.net) from other TCF Chapters and organizations. Recent contributions come from TCF Vernon, TCF National, and “In Loving Memory” (a US group for parents with no surviving children). They include inspiring stories, readings and other material to remind us that “We need not walk alone”.
6. Conferences
The TCF Chapter in Medicine Hat AB is planning a national conference for August 2017. In the meantime, here are some other gatherings that may be of interest.
– In Loving Memory, for parents with no surviving children – April 7th – 10th 2016 – Fairfax, Virginia http://www.inlovingmemoryconference.org/
– Seabeck Retreat, an annual TCF event with attendees from BC, Washington and Oregon – June 3rd – 5th 2016 Seabeck, Washington (please reply to this e-mail for contact information).
7. Chapter Website and Facebook Page
Remember that you can stay in touch through our website and Facebook page. On Facebook, look for “The Compassionate Friends Ottawa Chapter” to read and post messages and comments. Our website (www.tcfottawa.net) has links to many resources, including newsletters, our library list, information leaflets, ‘Remembering our Children”, and “Find a Friend”.
8. Unsubscribe
If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please reply to this e-mail.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Andy Bond
The Compassionate Friends, Ottawa Chapter
http://www.tcfottawa.net
Kevin’s Dad
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The Compassionate Friends 