Compassion Magazine Winter 2022

Winter 2022 - Compassion | www.tcf.org.uk 5 Dear Compassionate Friends, Every three months our wonderful editor, Gina Claye, sends me an email reminding me that it is again time for me to set out my ‘Thoughts from the Chair’. If I am really honest I have to admit that Gina, more often than not, has to send one or more reminders for me to put fingers to keypad and get my thoughts down. But this month receiving Gina’s email made me smile. You will recall that in my last ‘Thoughts’ I mentioned that Gina had recently fallen and broken her hip resulting in an operation and hospital stay. She had a pretty rough time of it and all we could do was send our best wishes and include her in our prayers. I am so pleased to say that Gina continued to be such a fighter as she has always been and has come through the ordeal and is once again at the helm of the ‘Compassion’ ship running the editorial side of our Compassion magazine. The other surprise was Gina telling me that this was probably my final ‘Thoughts from the Chair’ as my three year stint as Chair of Trustees comes to an end following our AGM in November this year. Why surprise? Well for me it is hard to believe that three years have passed since TCF’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in November 2019. It was at that AGM where I was elected Chair of Trustees taking over from Maria Ahern. Like everyone sitting there in November 2019 we had absolutely no comprehension of how the world around us was going to change, and change Thoughts from the Chair Andrew Miller with his son Fabian For some very helpful hints on how to manage Christmas go to our website at tcf.org.uk/copingwithchristmas . Reading the advice of other bereaved parents or siblings could really help. If you need someone to talk to, our Helpline is open over the Christmas period. Ring 0345 123 2304 . You are not alone… Whatever you decide, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t do what others may expect you to. Remember, go by how YOU feel and what YOU need to do. Above all, be gentle with yourself. This is a very difficult time for us all but we WILL get through it. With my love, Gina, Nikki and Robin’s mum