Childless Parents Newsletter, Winter 2020

Newsletter for Childless Parents | www.tcf.org.uk 5 copy of it will hang in the library, above a bicycle wheel which has been set in the wall too. “This is now an absolutely marvellous space for the children,” says Barbara. “Now, I have seen the wonderful work that goes on here. “I haven’t got the words to say how I admire what’s going on here [at CCF], it’s absolutely fantastic. The scope of it and the thought that goes into every aspect of the children’s’ lives, so that they can be supported to grow and flourish and thrive in the way that they need to. I am just in awe of it.” Wandering around the library, it’s clear that Barbara feels her son’s presence in the legacy that he has left. “That Julian is part of it is so meaningful for me, I can’t tell you how meaningful it is” she says. “I am so pleased to have fulfilled what he wanted when he took his own life.” Talking about Julian is emotional and Barbara begins to cry. “I’m bound to get upset coming here, I knew I would. I was dreading that but you know, it’s really important that I came,” she says. She smiles as she describes what her son was like. “He was so tall and so handsome, and he had such a softly spoken voice”. “We had a close bond. He was a very bright person, very sociable and easy with people, very capable and a deep thinker, but he developed all sorts of problems - physical and mental problems. His illness became too great, so he took his own life.” What does she think Julian would have made of the library project and CCF? He would be so pleased. Because of his own personal experience, when he was small and apart from me, he so wanted children to be protected and he heard that this [CCF] was very much about protecting children, about helping them to flourish and thrive, and do well in their whole lives. So it was a big issue for him, and he would be absolutely thrilled. Shared by Barbara Boxhall, Julian’s Mum