Please mark your calendar. Little Valentine. Sweet little angel of mine. You are
my precious Valentine. In Heaven, you now reside. Save my place at your side.
January / February 2013
“A Nonprofit Self-Help Organization for Families Who Have Experienced the Death of a Child”
NOTICE — New Meeting Start Time Beginning this month, our meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. in an effort to allow people to get home earlier and still have time for building relationships and sharing. Please mark your calendar.
HOPE It is the gift of hope which reigns supreme
You are not alone We know the heartache that you bear We’ve felt the pain Cause we have been there We share a bond Of infinite sorrow A hope for peace Strength for tomorrow. A time will come When you seek relief Solace and comfort To ease your grief. We welcome you We shall be there We understand We’ve much to share.
Little Valentine Sweet little angel of mine You are my precious Valentine
In the attributes of THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS
For at all of Eternity we shall gaze
Hope that all is not lost.
I’ll count the blessing of my life
Hope that life can still be worth living and meaningful, Hope that the pain of loss will become less acute and, above all else, the Hope that we do not walk alone, that we are understood.
In Heaven, you now reside Save my place at your side
At your side I’ll feel no strife I cherish you, oh child of mine For I love my little Valentine I won’t be sad, I’ve memories sweet So full and rich death can’t defeat I look forward with much delight To see your eyes shining bright
The gift of HOPE is the greatest gift that we can give to those who mourn.
I know deep within my heart
Reverend Dr. Simon Stephens
You are my precious Valentine
Founder of The Compassionate Friends
Our spirits are never apart Sweet little angel of mine
By Jane Oja, TCF, Central Oregon Chapter
TCF Scranton, PA
WE NEED NOT WALK ALONE. WE ARE THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS.
Salem Chapter Monthly Meetings Salem Hospital Birthing Center, 1st floor meeting room 939 Oak Street, SE Salem 1st & 3rd Tuesday every month All meetings are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. January / February 1st Tuesday General Meetings: January 1st and February 5th. January / February 3rd Tuesday Meetings: January 15 and February 19 especially focused on adult child loss Please call if you have any questions regarding attending these meetings. 503-743-3930 or 503-931-1748
Salem Compassionate Friends PO Box 13639 Salem, OR 97309 (503) 743-3930 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Lebanon General Meeting” Lebanon Hospital - 2nd Tuesday every month 6:30pm to 8:30pm 525 N. Santiam Hwy in meeting room #3 Go to the back entrance
My Beautiful Son Elana Hoerter
The room goes dark
The Silence surrounds me,
January 8 and February 12
Slowly my heart begins to harden
Please contact Linda Moore at (541) 3677916 or Janie Erickson at 503-931-1748 if you have questions or need directions.
thoughts of you, my beautiful son.
My mind begins to race with
Then why’s and what-ifs flood my mind
CHILDREN’S PHOTOS We invite you to bring photos of your child to share at meetings. It always warms the heart to share stories and pictures of our loved ones. We will have a table available to set photo frames, memory books, or other special mementos for sharing at each meeting. A Special Thank you,
My heart grows harder
Living without you is becoming too Painful Suddenly I can feel the warmth Of your touch on my shoulder You wipe away my tears
I now feel you inside my heart. Helping me to go on with you The longer you are with me
Living day to day becomes easier and less painful Knowing you are in my heart and Will never leave
To all who have made the our worldwide Candle Lighting on the Capitol Steps a success - Including all who gave freely of their time and donations in order to continue to reach out to the bereaved!
Our memories will go on
Without you and your continued support, our efforts would not be possible.
You will forever be with me
Thank you so much - TCF Salem Chapter
I will go on.
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Makes life easier
I will never forget
You, my beautiful son
I will never let you go but
Love Gifts
—
A Love Gift is a gift of money to The Compassionate Friends for the purpose of running the Salem Chapter. It is usually given in memory of a child who has died; however, it may also be from individuals who want to honor a friend or relative. It may be in thanksgiving that their children are alive and well, or simply a gift of support for the work of TCF. Others in the community make contributions because they want to help us with the newsletter, meeting costs, resource information for newly bereaved families, or expenses related to special events like the Worldwide Candle Lighting on the Capitol steps each December. The simple truth is that without your support, there would be little possibility for this group to exist.
All gifts are needed, welcome, and truly appreciated.
In loving memory of… In Loving
Memory, Michael Erickson -
“Michael, I’ll remember and love you forever. How could it be otherwise?” (Janie Ericson—Mom)
In Loving
Memory, Lane Hartley -
“January again. I remember you for both your birthday and death anniversary. I miss you so.” (Mardis Hartley—Mom) “A love gift to Salem TCF, Lane, because the organization brings help to you mom and many
other” (Aunt Loa Lea Cyncora) “Forever In Our Hearts”
In
Appreciation of Diane Gish and Carolyn Walz.
A gift to Salem TCF for these ladies volunteer efforts. “I am always thankful for your cards remembering my Jackie” (D. Annie Ford)
REMINDER: Deadline for Love Gifts to be acknowledged in the March / April newsletter is 2/13/13
If you wish to make a tax-deductible LOVE GIFT donation, fill the information below, send with a check for any amount to: Salem TCF, PO BOX 13639 Salem, OR 97309 Month you would like it printed in newsletter:_________________________________________ Donation Amount:______________________ Childs Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Date of Birth: ______/______/______ Date of Death: ______/______/______ Special Message (please include how you would like your message to read: ________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your Name: _______________________________________________________________Telephone or email :__________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ City:_____________________________ Zip:________________________ P a g e
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O u r
C h i l d r e n
L o v e d
a n d
R e m e m b e r e d
January Birthdays
February Birthdays
...That their light may always shine… We know how important it is for your child’s name to be included on this page. We apologize if we missed anyone. We encourage you to notify us if you notice an error or if you would like us to update information. Please email us at
[email protected] P a g e
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or write to us at: PO BOX 13639 Salem, OR 97309.
O u r
C h i l d r e n
January Anniversaries
February Anniversaries
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L o v e d
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The Scar To lose a loved one is to be wounded deep within the soul. The wound will heal but the scar will remain. The scar is not upon the body, but upon the heart. To touch the scar is to recall the image of the loved one. To touch the scar is to experience the love that still remains for him, and is eternally sheltered in you. Jim Rosemary, TCF
There is love in our pain,
Huntington, W. VA
Memories in our grief And hope in our sharing.
Love isn’t what makes the world go ‘round.
Author Darcie Sims
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. Franklin P. Jones
One evening at a gathering of men, Sir Harry Lauder was speaking of the influence of human life. He told of his boyhood memories of the lamplighter in London who moved down his street each night with a long taper; “I could not see the old man himself, it was entirely too dark at the foot of the lamppost; but I knew where he was by the row of lights he left behind him.” In their own special way, each child leaves behind a light to shine, although we can see them no more. TCF Abilene, TX P a g e
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“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose… All that we love deeply becomes a part of us” Helen Keller
Grief never ends, but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. The sense of loss must give way if we are to value the life that was lived. – Author unknown
We need not Walk Alone, We are Compassionate Friends. The Compassionate Friends is a non-profit, non-sectarian, mutual assistance, self-help organization offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and extended family members. Our primary purpose is to assist the bereaved in the positive resolution of the grief experienced upon the death of a child and to support their efforts to achieve physical and emotional health. We are all volunteers, bereaved parents ourselves, and we offer a safe and open environment for everyone to share stories of their child and discuss the many new experiences we encounter as we learn to live out “New” life without our loved one. Grief is a life-long journey. Not every step you take will move you forward; please accept our hands offered in kindness and caring.
We need not walk alone. The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
The Salem Chapter of The Compassionate Friends operates solely with voluntary tax-deductible donations. Monetary gifts in any amount are appreciated.
Circle of Friends… Do you need to talk with someone who understands and has experienced a similar loss? The parents and siblings listed below have expressed their willingness to listen. If you have questions or need a more specific referral, please call TCF at ( 503 ) 7433930 or email us at:
[email protected]
Remember, you are not alone. Nephew, teen, homicide & Infant Son Son, 25, suicide Son, 20, homicide/police Daughter, 5, accident Son, 20, accident Miscarriage Stepson, 20, homicide Son, 5, accident
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Sue Fowler 503-378-1845 or Mardis Hartley Laird Case Jake & Daphne Greer Diane Gish Vickie Thompson Debbie Case Jack & Linda Standeven
503-779-7711 503-585-2012 503-428-1321 503-623-5044 503-362-2970 503-507-8475 503-428-1322 541-745-3914
When your heart says, “Cry,” but your mind says, “Don’t,” Listen to your heart. It could be your pride, not your mind, that is saying “Don’t cry.” Crying because your child has died does not mean that you are not a strong person. Tears do not mean you are having problems with emotional instability. You are crying because you are hurt. You were in love with your child, and now your child is dead. Not letting it out little by little through tears may mean you are bottling it all inside. Is this good? Next time your heart says, “Cry,” listen to it. You’ll feel better in the long run. ~Rose Moen, TCF Carmel-Indianapolis, In.
Salem Chapter The Compassionate Friends PO Box 13639 Salem, OR 97309 (503) 743-3930 Web Site: http://www.salemtcf.org
Even during the cold, gray days of our Oregon winters, may the soft breeze of hope warm your heart just when you need it most.
The Compassionate Friends, Inc. National Office PO BOX 3696
Watch for upcoming events: Annual Balloon Release - Date TBD (June/July) Worldwide Candle Lighting - 2nd Sunday in December 2013 (More info to come)
P.O. Box 13639 Salem, OR 97309
Dated Material January / February 2013
Oakbrook, IL 60522 The Compassionate Friends (630) 990-0010 Copyright - All Rights Reserved
