Compassion Autumn Winter 2023

29 tcf.org.uk TCF NEWS | SUPPORTIVE EVENTS Find out more about upcoming retreats and in person and online events here tcf.org.uk/events-index of the second day and I found myself opening up and we shared tales of our children and we laughed. Laughing has been very rare and it felt good. The rest of the weekend we had small groups where I felt safe to share and to be blessed by the courage of other parents to share their pain as well as how they were trying to put one foot in front of the other every day. During the weekend we had a group talk which echoed this sentiment of putting on ‘comfortable shoes’ to go on the journey of grief. During the weekend I also opted to attend a writing session this was very helpful – again another way I could manage my pain and move the crushing thoughts from out of my head onto paper. On Saturday evening we gathered together as a group of parents; with the pictures of our children; read poems and lit candles for our beautiful children. There was not a dry eye in the room but it was so beautiful. Everybody’s own experience will be different but for me on this journey that I am walking on my own without any meaning, going to this retreat has helped me in so many ways. I left in awe of all the parents and in some ways it served as a new beginning for me, an acceptance that my heart is forever broken but that I have to find a way to keep going. Thank you to all the wonderful parents that I meet for their bravery and also to the volunteers. I also must mention the staff at Ammerdown who looked after us all and feed us so well. I hope this helps someone decide to go on a retreat with the compassionate friends it might just be a first step to help you breathe again even if they are only shallow breaths".