For parents, grandparents and siblings over 18
Transcription
For parents, grandparents and siblings over 18
Non-Profit US Postage PAID Omaha, NE #284 P.O. Box 540852, Omaha, NE 68154 mail@tcfomaha.org Jan-Feb 2013 402-571-4011 correo@tcfomaha.org facebook.com/tcfomaha www.tcfomaha.org Mission Statement: When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family. Spanish/Español - page/pagina 4 Please send stories, poems or love gifts by Address Service Requested Feb 1, 2013 newsletter@tcfomaha.org MEETING TIMES AND LOCATIONS For parents, grandparents and siblings over 18 SUPPORT GROUP MEETING 7:00 p.m. — 1st Thursday of the month New Cassel Retirement Center 900 N. 90th Street —Auditorium Level 2, Omaha LUNCH Noon—3rd Tuesday of the month at noon. Tish’s Restaurant, 1115 S 35 Street, Council Bluffs CALENDAR Jan 3 Omaha Meeting Jan 10 Fremont Meeting Jan 15 Council Bluffs Lunch Meeting Jan 15 Avoca IA Meeting Jan 16 Reunion En Espanol Jan 22 Steering Committee Meeting Feb 1 Newsletter Cutoff for Jan-Feb Feb 7 Omaha Meeting Feb 14 Fremont Meeting Feb 19 Council Bluffs Lunch Meeting REUNION EN ESPAŃOL 7:00 pm-3er miércoles de cada mes/3rd Wed. of every month One World Community Health Center Conference Room 4920 S. 30th Street, Omaha Feb 19 Avoca IA Meeting Feb 20 Reunion En Espanol National Office: The Compassionate Friends P.O. Box 3696 Oakbrook IL 60522-3696 (877) 969-0010 www.compassionatefriends.org Nebraska Regional Coordinator: Kelly Pelster (402) 676-3670 tcfneb.kelly@gmail.com 1 Love Gifts ∙ Address Change ∙ Authorizations THANK YOU Mail to: The Compassionate Friends , PO Box 540852, Omaha, NE 68154 Hawkeye/Nebraska Siding & Window Fremont National Bank Your Name_____________________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________Email____________ _______________________________ Gleaner/Gleoma Arbor HyVee 108 & Fort PayPal City___________________________ State _______ Zip ______________ Phone _____________________ Credit Card No: ___________________________CVC ___________ EXP _________ Date _______________ DIRECT MY GIFT TOWARD: Pettit’s Pastry New Cassel Retirement Center One World Community Health Center American Express Employee Giving/Gift Match Gift of $___________ □ Outreach –printing, postage, phone, web □ Spanish Support □ Angel of Hope □ Memorial Programs United Way of the Midlands Ted E Bear Hollow Centering Corporation Jane Dugan, PLMHP, NCC, CT In Memory of___________________________________________________________ Jennifer Brigden, LPC, LMHP Kris Musch & The Birdhouse Project Message:______________________________________________________________ Alan & Denise Pedersen Angels Across the USA 2013 AUTHORIZATION—initial each selection Publish my child’s name/dates in the newsletter as long as I am on the mailing list ______ Add my child’s name to the 2013 Walk to Remember Banner in my absence ______ Use my child’s photo in the 12-8-2013 Worldwide Candle Lighting Slide Show ______ Newsletters and notices will be sent electronically unless paper is requested ______paper ______Unsubscribe Child’s Name __________________________________________________________________________________ Birth Date __________________Death Date ______________________Your Relationship____________________ SIGNATURE_REQUIRED_____________________________________________________DATE______________ Memories The certain special memories That follow me each day, Cast your shadow in my life In a certain way. Or the lyrics of a song Make me stop and think of you Sometimes all day long Memories are good to have Thank you to all who helped to make this a special evening of remembrance, Barb Schwede—Venue & Candles Peter & Diana Ormandy—Centerpieces And SlideShow Mary Jo Fike—Publicity Kelly Pelster—Photos, Mail, Email Beth Karadeema—Graphic Design www.compassionatefriends.org to watch at any time Dreams-A Blessing in Disguise Handling the Holidays A Father’s Grief Grief and Today’s Family Sometimes the blowing wind The Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting Ceremony December 9, 2012 Free Webinars To share and keep in my heart, Just knowing that you’re still inside Makes sure we’ll never part. Collette Covington TCF Lake Charles, LA Seven Dos and Don’ts for Couples Siblings Grieve Too Coping with Grief during Bereavement Caring for your Health While Grieving Getting Stuck and Unstuck Handling Grief in the Holiday Season HELP ON A COMMITTEE Plan meeting programs Outreach—providing us with contact information for professionals in your community. Publicity—Speaking opportunities and health fairs. 2 ♥ Gifts of Love received 10/1/2012—11/30/2012 ♥ Our activities support the grief work of many families. We also work to educate members of our community about the grief process and how they can support bereaved parents. Please help us help others by making a LOVE GIFT today. TCF is a 501c3 organization and funded only by donations. Monetary gifts in any amount are deeply appreciated and we gratefully accept these gifts knowing our children are warmly remembered. Chapter expenses include printing, postage, telephone, library, and memorial programs. We have a new chapter brochure and are working to increase the awareness of TCF in our community. Barb SCHWEDE ♥ KELLY JEAN FALK Friend of the Angel JOHN & LORRAINE MALL ♥ JEFFERY MALL Always loved - Never Forgotten DON & SANDY HOLOUBEK ♥ AMANDA HOLOUBEK Barb SCHWEDE ♥ KELLY JEAN FALK MARY MORROW ♥ ALEX MORROW ANONYMOUS ♥ RON & SHARON BRADRICK ♥ JILL KELLY BRADRICK RUSS & ANNE LLOYD ♥ SHANNON LEE LLOYD MARK & SUSIE BASHOR ♥ DAREN MICHAEL BASHOR We love and miss you. You are always in our thoughts. MARY MORROW ♥ ALEX MORROW I love You More! RICHARD & REBECCA SMITH ♥ JOHNATHAN R SMITH We Love You John BILL & BARBARA COOK ♥ CHRIS COOK MARK & DANA APPLEGATE ♥ MATTHEW APPLEGATE Love You - Miss You What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. Helen Keller BETTY HARLOW ♥ CHAD W. HARLOW We love U and miss U Forever DAVE & DEBI JACKSON ♥ JACOB PAUL JACKSON "SK8RBOI" We Love You. Mom & Dad ROGER & JILL DETHLEFS ♥ CASSIDY MARIE DETHLEFS Our little angel - we love you and miss you every day!! ELMER & CAROL BURHENNE ♥ STEVE W. BURHENNE Gone 26 years, but not forgotten DON & SANDY HOLOUBEK ♥ AMANDA HOLOUBEK We miss you and Love Never Dies FRANK & JUDY SEBRON ♥ Steven Sebron Sr. Forever in our Hearts LINDA SEHI ♥ RICHIE A. SEHI To our loving son and brother "Dick". Loved by all and missed. BETTY HARLOW ♥ CHAD W. HARLOW We love U and miss U every day. BERT & SALLY NIELSEN ♥ JONATHON "SCOOB" NIELSON Remembering Jonathon "Scoob". Always in our Hearts ~ Nanny & Papa CURT & VICKI BARR ♥ BRADLEY CHARLES BARR Love You Always-Forever ALLEN & DEBORA LANTZ ♥ SHAWN "BOOMER" LATTIMER We will always Love You WAYNE & DIANE JACOBSEN ♥ ERIC SCOTT JACOBSEN Our amazing son. Think of you always. Love and miss you so. Forever in our hearts. Love, Mom & Dad ROBERT & BARBARA BLAIR ♥ ANDREW "ANDY" BLAIR In Our Hearts Forever JOHN & MARY LYNN VOGT ♥ GERID MICHAEL NELSON Son-Brother-Uncle Miss You So Much XO XO XO SHIRLEY ASHCRAFT ♥ CHARLES DUANE MORELAND Forever Loved & Missed MELANIE & DARRIN PETTY ♥ TREVOR FREDERICKSON Book "To Heaven and Back" ED & PAM RAMSPOTT ♥ JOSEPH L. RAMSPOTT JOHN & MARY LYNN VOGT ♥ Gerid Michael Nelson BETH PRIBIL ♥ WILLIAM CARL DRIELING ALVIN & GLENDA HALLEY ♥ MARY HALLEY CHROSTOWSKI Always and Forever in our Hearts ALVIN & GLENDA HALLEY ♥ CINDY HALLEY Always and Forever in Our Hearts LINDA NIELSEN ♥ GUY DOUGLAS NIELSEN Forever 3 PAGINA EN ESPAÑOL/SPANISH PAGE REMEDIO PARA LA TRISTEZA Un día un joven escuchó un chiste muy pero muy bueno, se rió mucho por varios días y en ellos estuvo verdaderamente contento. Era sin dudas el mejor chiste que había escuchado en su vida. Cada vez que este joven se sentía triste o tenía ganas de llorar hacía memoria, recordaba el chiste y comenzaba a reir mucho, entonces su tristeza se iba. Así lo hizo por muchos años, ese era su remedio para la tristea y era realmente efectivo. Un día, ya siendo adulto se sentía solo, triste, pensaba que ya nada tenía sentido, entonces pensó que el aquel chiste sería la solución. Trató de recordarlo pero no hubo caso, no podía recordar de que trataba el chiste, ni el comienzo ni el remate. Sin embargo notó que su tristeza ya se había ido. Se dió cuenta de que a pesar de no recordar el chiste si pudo recordar lo feliz que había sido esos días, lo contento que había estado y lo mucho que había disfrutado. Comprendió que lo que le hacía olvidar la tristeza cada vez que lo hacía no era el chiste, sino el recuerdo de lo feliz que había sido, eso nunca lo iba a olvidar. Así entendió claramente como funcionaba su remedio y la tristeza jamás volvió. “Cuando te sientas triste y las ganas de llorar de inunden, recordá los momentos en que fuiste feliz y hacé todo lo posible para que esos momentos vuelvan y se repitan. Es el mejor remedio”. ~Moradito Los Amigos Compasivos/USA A un ángel El mencionar su nombre Hoy el viento me trae tu recuerdo cubriéndome de profundo escalofrío por una muerte que aún no entiendo y trato de comprender por qué te has ido. Naciste como un ángel y creo que como un ángel has vivido caminando por la vida sin sentir ningún peligro. Tal vez por eso Dios te llevó porque eras un ángel y solo los ángeles junto a Dios tienen su sitio. Cuando supe de tu viaje mi corazón quedó como detenido y sentí un dolor tan fuerte que creí que tu muerte, de Dios fue un descuido. Pero creo en Jesucristo y su promesa de otra vida y por eso ya no lloro al saber que te veré nuevamente hijo mío. El mencionar el nombre de mi hijo ... Puede traer lágrimas a mis ojos, Sin embargo, nunca deja de traer Música para mis oídos. Si usted es realmente mi amigo, Déjeme escuchar la hermosa música de su nombre. Calma mi corazón destrozado Y canta a mi alma. Holy Comforter, Los Amigos Compasivos/USA Autor desconocido - Los Amigos Compasivos/USA Si desean enviar material para el próximo boletín, escriba a : correo@tcfomaha.org Alguien tiene el numero de teléfono para llamar al cielo. Extraño mucho escuchar la voz de mi hij@, niet@, herman@. Aunque sin mucho esfuerzo, solo tengo que cerrar los ojos traer de mi memorias uno de tantos momentos y lo reviviré. Sí lo voy hacer...y tu que harías? Los Amigos Compasivos/USA 4 Finding a New Normal for Yourself –Author Unknown In the early days, weeks, and even months after our child dies, most of family members, friends, and colleagues are very supportive of the ways we mourn the death of our child. They understand and encourage us as we weep, talk about our child, express our devastation. They understand that we are deeply sad, even depressed, have no joy in our lives, and can hardly function. But at some point, many of these same friends, family, and colleagues begin to wonder – and some will even ask – when we are going to get back to normal again. They want the old happy, productive, focused, fun person to return. What they don’t understand is that we are now normal. And if we weren’t behaving and feeling as we are, we would not be normal – in fact we would be abnormal. When we lose a bet or a job or wreck our car or suffer a financial setback etc., the loss can hit us pretty hard. However, we don’t say, ―Oh well, that’s life,‖ and just move on and forget about what happened. The loss lingers with us. Fortunately we find ways to deal with these losses fairly quickly. When we have a serious disease or lose our sight or an arm or leg, it hits us harder. And we certainly don’t say, ―Oh well, that’s life,‖ and just move on and forget what we’ve lost. These losses are usually life-changing. We try to find ways to deal with them, but it can take a long time – and many times our life is drastically different than it was before. We arrive at a new normal, which may even involve a wheelchair, nursing care, etc. We usually don’t advise people who have lost their sight or a limb to ―Just get over it and get on with life‖ or ―to get back to normal. Yes, it is terrible to be infirm, and it is terrible to lose a limb. But the death of our child is like moving to a whole A Very Special Letter. Thirty-two years ago our 19 year old son, Jeff, was killed in a car accident. Although I only attended one meeting many years agothe “Friends” I’ve met thru the newsletter, the articles and stories have been a real comfort for me. If I remember correctly, I sent this article/poem to you several years ago-but I’m sending it again because I know how much it has helped me and the many friends/strangers I have mailed it to. It was given to me by friends from church and I have never found an author for it, maybe you know. Please print it again-I know from experiences it will help someone with their grief. God Bless all of you and the work you do, Lorraine Mall, TCF Omaha new planet. And most of those who have not been on that ―planet‖ don’t understand this. There is nothing we can do to have our old life – from before the death of our child – back. Yes, we do move forward. And yes, we do find ways to deal with this loss and to absorb it into our new life. But mourning the death of our child takes a long time – perhaps the rest of our life. In the beginning, that shock, numbness, weeping, questioning, sense of hopelessness, loss of joy, etc. are normal. And at that time we are normal. Not the normal we were before our child died, but today’s normal. And over time, as the shock and numbness wear off but the reality and the pain flood in, our sense of hopelessness and loss of joy, our inability to function as we used to in work, home and life, our crying, deep sadness or depression continue and may even deepen. This is normal. As time goes on, we find ways to cope with our new life, ways that are helpful to us in our mourning, ways to deal with the world. Our pain and sadness remain, but we find ways to make these deep feelings part of our life rather than the forces we have to battle. And we may begin to have some hope and to find some meaning and joy in life – not like we had before, but some. That is our new normal at this time. And eventually, while the pain has not lessened and our sadness at the death of our child has not lessened or gone away, we have grown and strengthened to the point where we know we can live with that pain and sadness and that we can live a full life. This life will always be different than it was before the death of our child. What is meaningful to us now, what brings us joy now, what is important now, is vastly different than it was. This is our new normal. To All Parents ‘I’ll lend you for a little while a child of mine,’ He said. ‘For you to love the while he lives and morn for when he’s dead. It may be six or seven years or twenty-two or three, But will you, ‘til I call him back, take care of him for me? He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for grief I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn. I’ve searched the wide world over in my search for Teachers True, And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to take him back again?’ I fancied that I heard them say ‘Dear Lord, thy will be done; For all the joy this child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter him with happiness; we’ll love him while we may. And for the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay, But should the angels call for him much sooner than we’d planned, 5 The Eternal Legacy of Names ~By Nita Aasen When people reference a deceased person, it is not unusual to hear his or her name referred to in the past tense. For example, upon learning that two of my sons are deceased, I have been asked “What were their names?” The hair immediately stands up on the back of my neck as I use the present tense and say(while trying to conceal my irritation), “Their names are Erik and David.” While it is indisputable that death takes away the physical relationship with one’s loved one, death cannot take away the spiritual relationship we continue to have with them, nor can death take away their name. Their name becomes the living reference point for our relationship with them throughout their lives and following their deaths. Upon a person’s birth (or perhaps before), the first gift one’s parents give to their newly born son or daughter is a name. In making that choice, different options for the first and middle names may be written out to see how they look with the last name. Or perhaps these names were spoken out loud in order to hear which combinations sounded the best. Many times it is important that a child’s name have a family connection. Much love, thought, and time are typically spent in choosing a name that gives one’s son or daughter a space and place in the world that is just for them. From the very beginning of our lives, our names are linked eternally with a specific family. Over time, our names serve as an historical framework for our developmental progress, our medical records, school records, work performance, and leisure and civic interests. References to one’s personal characteristics, personality, reputation, character, and contributions to make this world a better place are inevitably linked to one’s name. There is simply no other efficient or meaningful way to make the connection. One’s name becomes a kind of shorthand that serves as a starting point for conversations about an individual’s specific attributes. Following a loved one’s death, his or her name makes it possible to continue to share stories, tributes, and memories; to plant trees, give awards, or do acts of kindness in their honor. Decades or even hundreds of years after an ancestor’s death, families wanting to connect with their family roots could not begin their search without a name. The documentation of one’s name available in numerous records—birth, death, marriage, church, cemetery, plat books, obituaries, pictures, old letters, and many more—connects descendants to other missing puzzle pieces and leads them to many other names and stories in their family tree. A poem by John Rezmerski, professor at Gustavus Adolphus College, was written as a living tribute to the thousands of patients who were interred on the grounds of the state hospital for the “insane” in St. Peter, Minnesota. The graves were marked with numbers instead of names. More than a hundred years later, markers with names have gradually been placed above the numbers. Following is a portion of that poem: A name is a seed that encases a whole tree, the memory of a whole species. Our names say: “However different This individual is of our kind.” That kindness makes us whole. As long as documentation exists, the kindness that is inherent in one’s name, and is symbolic of our loved ones, lives on eternally in this world. Yes, my sons’ names are Erik and David—forever. Nita’s sons, Erik (27) and David (25), were killed in a car accident on November 14, 1994. She does not have a local chapter, but she has found support in TCF through We Need Not Walk Alone and the national conference. MEMORY CORNER Christopher Allen Martin (Chrissy) March 23rd, 1980 – January 18th, 2011 Chris was quite the husband, father, son, brother & friend! He loved being at home spending time with his wife, Jenny and his girls, Alexis & Allison; as they were his life. Chris was also involved in sports such as playing volleyball, golf, going to sporting events, hunting and fishing. He also liked going to concerts, I still made fun of the fact he had an Alanis Morissette poster above his bed in high school and he prayed that the tape would give out and she would float down on him. Ha, ha! Chris cared for all, he was always there to give great advice, paved his way to becoming a great person & role model and the very best husband, father, son, brother & friend! Chris, we will never forget you, you are in our hearts forever! We miss and love you terribly, until we meet again! Love you Chris!!! As long as I can I will look at this world for both of us. As long as I can I will laugh with the birds, I will sing with the flowers, I will pray to the stars, for both of us. ~ Sascha 6 It is the New Year ! The holidays are behind us. We did with them what we could. Whether they were a time of sorrow, a time of joy, or a combination of both, they are now a part of our memories. In a strange way, as a memory in our hearts and in our minds, our child's place is there among all the other memories of the season. There is hurt along with the memory, but also thankfulness for the memory. When a Child Dies... What We Can Teach the World [and ourselves]! ...about our grief! 1. GRIEF HURTS. There is real pain. It is not psychosomatic! 2. GRIEF IS NORMAL. The pain, anger, depression, numbness, guilt, mental confusion, etc., is all NORMAL. You are not going crazy because you experience these. 3. GRIEF ENDURES. It lasts longer than society (or we ourselves) generally recognizes. It takes years for healing to occur. Be patient with yourself. 4. PEOPLE GRIEVE DIFFERENTLY. Everyone is an individual and does his/her grief work differently. There is no right way to grieve. 5. PHYSICAL REACTIONS a) Loss of appetite or overeating. b) Insomnia - sleeplessness c) Sleeping all the time- depression? d) Sexual difficulties-not wanting/deserving pleasure. e) Loss of energy - takes all you have to get out of bed! f) Difficulty concentrating -can't hold thoughts, organize, plan, forgetful, etc. g) Physical ailments: hypertension, headaches, any illness related to stress. 6. GRIEF BRINGS TEARS. Causes one to cry. Crying is a healthy expression of grief. It releases built-up tensions. Grieving persons should be encouraged to cry freely as they feel the need. The chemical makeup of tears from grief is different from other tears. MEN SHOULD CRY TOO! Crying is OK! 7. HOLIDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, SPECIAL DAYS ARE STRESSFUL. Holidays are "family times" and are difficult when a child is absent. Anniversaries include birthdays, death days. Special Days include every Fridays if the child died on a Friday, 1st day of school and your child isn't there to go this year, graduation exercises -- two and three years after the death...all can be stressful. 8. GRIEF CAUSES ONE TO EXAMINE HIS/HER PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE. We now question many religious principles that we've always accepted without question in the past. Simple answers to life questions are no longer acceptable to many during grief. Things just aren't "black and white" anymore. Those in grief seek deeper truths now and these truths must be real to them -experienced-to be accepted. Questioning God and His role in the loss is NORMAL and OK! Being angry at God is OK! You can't be angry at someone you don't believe in! Remember, there is no way that a loving God would cause a child to die and leave the family with such horrible grief. He hurts when we hurt. 9. GRIEF CHANGES YOU! When your child dies, you will never again be the person you were the day before the death! Friendships and relationships change because WE CHANGE. Don't be frightened by the changes taking place INSIDE you. Go with them. You will eventually find your "resting place" as healing takes place. 10. RECOVERY AND HEALING IS POSSIBLE! You will never "get over" the death of a child and there will always be a void in your life, BUT, you won't always hurt like you do initially. To recover, you must go through the grief, experience it. All attempts to avoid it will only postpone it! 7 ♥ Our Children Remembered ♥ In the days ahead, especially remember these children and their families…on the day of their birth and on the anniversary of their death. If you would like your child, grandchild or sibling included here, submit the authorization form on page 2. Birthdays 01/02 01/03 01/04 01/08 01/09 01/11 01/11 01/13 01/16 01/16 01/16 01/18 01/22 01/23 01/24 01/27 01/28 01/28 01/29 01/31 02/01 02/02 02/03 02/09 02/10 02/10 02/11 02/16 02/16 02/17 02/18 02/20 02/21 02/21 02/23 02/24 02/26 02/26 02/27 Nathan James Graybill Michele Audra Anderson Tawni L. Moore Eric William Kuhl Bradley Charles Barr Cole Alan Krueger Alan C. Wiles Matthew Hartmann Theresa Marie "Tessie" Spinks Shannon Lee Lloyd Michael Peterson Lynette Schlosser Angers Sandy Hanrahan Daryl L. Catlin Ashley Peterson Sally Frances Bruckner Katie Natalia Ramirez Ellen Gloria Cerra Melissa Ann Duhn Timothy Jordan Lane Jill Kelly Bradrick Mariah Hope Gould Scott Christopher Bruning Brian Nye Paterson Allyssa Colleen Johnson Guy Douglas Nielsen Lyndsay Madison Bills Mary Halley Chrostowski Vivian Leigh Lemke Eric Paul Bauer Jose De Jesus Martinez Drew Michael Benson Michael Andrew Epstein Michaiah Delano Taylor Rachel Sarah Talbott Steven Sebron Sr. Pio Porta Viii Tyson Henry Peters Galilea Suarez Lemus Anniversaries 01/01 01/02 01/03 01/03 01/04 01/05 01/06 01/11 01/13 01/17 01/18 01/19 01/23 01/24 01/24 01/25 01/26 01/27 01/28 01/29 01/31 02/01 02/03 02/06 02/08 02/11 02/18 02/21 02/22 02/25 02/26 02/26 02/26 Michele Audra Anderson Cari Sue Sporhase Andrew "Andy" Blair Steven Dennis Schult Lucas John Saathoff Isabel Montes-Lopez Shawn "Boomer" Lattimer Christine Mack Dylan Zackary O'neill Jose De Jesus Martinez Christopher Allen Martin Ronald Gene Larsen Eric William Kuhl Nathan James Graybill Terry Mccue Chad Chollett Erik Matthew Balkus Daniel Logeman Brianne Dreith Steve Starks Pio Porta Viii Nicholas John Scarpello Eric Michael Jensen Randy Lee Dady Richie A. Sehi Lyndsay Madison Bills Bradley Charles Barr Scott Blevins Michaiah Delano Taylor Christine Perkins Tyson Henry Peters Lisa Barton Jeffrey Thomas Brown SEARCHING . . . Once again, my list has vanished; it was here, but now it's missing. Keys and glasses disappearing; books and letters--overdue. I'm forever searching, searching, they must be here, and I need them! Could it be that what is missing, what I want this very minute-- could it be that what I'm REALLY searching for, my child, is you? Joyce Andrews TCF Sugar Land, TX Co-editors for this issue: Diana Ormandy, Kelly Kleckner-Silva, Kelly Pelster Every day our members quietly celebrate the birthday of their child, sibling, or grandchild who died--and as the years go along fewer and fewer relatives and friends remember those days which used to be so very, very special. Has this been your experience or is this a fear you have? This poem seems to reflect so well our wish that others not forget. 8