Compassion, Autumn 2021

Autumn 2021 - Compassion | www.tcf.org.uk 9 I have another couple of books at home to read myself before putting them into the library. One is called “The Madness of Grief” and is by Richard Coles, the priest who used to be in the Communards (a pop group from the 1980s). Richard’s husband, David, died and he’s written about that and about his grief. I’d seen him talking about it on TV and at the Hay Book Festival and was intrigued. One thing that made me smile was when people ask him how he is, he says, “Standing up and facing forwards”, presumably with his underwear on! The other one I intend to read is called “Dear Tosh” and it consists of 27 letters written to Tosh by his mum, Ninette Hartley, 10 years after he died, one for every year of his life. This book caught my imagination and I think it’s a lovely idea, one I might copy myself although not for publication. “Dear Tosh” was given to the library by the author and I’m always so grateful to authors and publishers who send us copies of their books. New books keep our library vibrant and relevant and they are always very welcome. I’ll finish with another quote from “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”. I think it epitomises what TCF does, although I might change the HAPPY to HAPPIER. “What do we do when our hearts hurt?” asked the boy. “We wrap them with friendship, shared tears and time, till they wake hopeful and happy again.” With love from Mary PS From this autumn I’ll be managing the library largely from home so, if anyone is about to return books, please would you send them to: 20 Abinger Drive, Chatham, Kent, ME5 8UL Don’t worry if you’ve already sent them though because they’ll be forwarded to me. I’d like to buy some CD audio books for the library but am having problems because everything is streamed now. If anyone has CD audios of books which would help other parents, and which you no longer want to keep, I would love to have them for the library. There are funds to cover your costs. Also, if you spot any for sale, please let me know. Thanks, Mary