Compassion Autumn 2022

Autumn 2022 - Compassion | www.tcf.org.uk 4 Letter from the CEO, Carolyn Brice Dear Friends Welcome to the Autumn 2022 edition of Compassion magazine. I am writing a brief introduction to this edition as sadly our wonderful editor, Gina Claye, has been unwell and was unable to work her usual amazing magic on this edition of our quarterly magazine. But, those of you who know Gina will also know what a determined woman she is – she was absolutely adamant that Compassion should be published as usual! So, Gina galvanised us all – especially Mary Hartley – to pull together the Autumn edition – and I want to thank you warmly Mary for stepping in to cover for Gina. Mary, Gina and myself hope very much you find this edition helpful and supportive. It has been over 17 years since my daughter, Rosie, died suddenly – but I remember so clearly in the early years how I would eagerly wait for my edition of Compassion to come through the letterbox (it was black and white in those days – but it really didn’t matter that there were no images or colour). I would immediately take it up to the smallest room in the house (the loo!) and read it cover to cover. Not all the articles, prose, poems spoke to me, but I would search through for those couple that I could really resonate with. Each time I read something by another bereaved parent that I could relate to I would feel less alone and just slightly more able to cope with the pain of Rosie’s loss. Each of those prose and poetry writers will truly never know how much they helped me. And, that is what the peer support from The Compassionate Friends is all about. It’s your words – in print, in a group, one- to-one, at a retreat, that can resonate and offer comfort, empathy and hope to another. So, please think about sharing your thoughts in a future edition of Compassion magazine – you may never know what a difference you might make, but rest assured you will make a difference. Do send any articles, poems, prose (written by you, or that you particularly like and have helped you) to Gina at compassioneditor@tcf.org.uk or info@tcf.org.uk Finally, I know you will all join me in wishing Gina a very speedy recovery and our hope is that she will be back sharing her thoughts and wisdom with you very soon. With my warmest wishes and compassion Carolyn x