Compassion, Spring 2024

3 tcf.org.uk I am sorry to say that we cannot bring you your usual letter from Gina Claye, our editor. Despite being with us at the retreat weekend in Northampton in January, Gina has not been well recently. She has therefore, reluctantly, had to step away from her volunteering role with TCF, including editorship of Compassion. At time of writing, Gina was on the mend and we very much hope by March, when this magazine is published, she will be back in her home enjoying time with her friends and family. In the meantime, it leaves me to offer you some words to introduce this Spring edition of Compassion. After the death of my daughter, Rosie, Spring was always a difficult time – as I know it is for many bereaved parents and families. Rosie was born in the springtime (May) and after her death in 2004 I always felt that the sunshine, the new growth and new beginnings this time of year represents was mocking me and intensifying my longing for my daughter. She loved the sunshine, the natural world, animals, plants and flowers – particularly daffodils and pink blossom. The change of the season and green shoots seemed to torture me and bring me immense pain for many years. I often found it difficult to go out anywhere – and particularly to the park or countryside - at this time of year. Almost 20 years later, and it doesn’t feel like that anymore. Instead of being painful, the Spring is now bittersweet – it represents to me both the pain of her loss, but also Rosie’s joy when the warmer weather, Easter chocolate and her birthday month came along. In the greenery and flowers – including blossom and daffodils – I see Rosie everywhere when I walk or run in our great outdoors. Now, instead of giving me sorrow, the natural world and the advent of Spring can give me joy; a visual reminder of all the love we shared and a kind of ‘happiness’ – all of which I would never have felt possible in the early days after her death. Maybe you are not able, just now, to relate to the change in my feelings about Spring, but I do hope that in time you will see this time of year as perhaps bringing you too a connection with your beloved son or daughter, brother or sister, or grandchild. That the feeling of warmth of the sun on you, and the new shoots, may give you some solace and joy as a reminder of past spring times with your child or loved one. Finally, I want to say that what TCF offers is the knowledge that you are not alone – however you might be feeling as Spring arrives, the sun comes out and flowers bloom. There is always someone in our community who shares similar thoughts - whatever they may be - and can empathise. This is the immense power of peer support to sustain us through our journey. Take care With my warmest wishes, Carolyn Brice. CEO Letter from our CEO