35 tcf.org.uk Of course, Gina edited TCF’s magazine Compassion for many years only stepping down very recently due to her poor health. She took so much care with the magazine and I looked forward to those emails when she would ask for my contribution. And chase me when I was late. She curated the articles and edited the magazine with pride. Hope Many of you will have met her at gatherings and retreats and you would have seen first hand her commitment and dedication; her gentle coaxing to a more positive approach, and to the “Nuggets of Hope” that she always led at these events. And the candle lighting. How are we going to navigate that without you? We will miss you playing the piano that’s for sure. Her positivity filled the room and her compassion was tangible. Humour She had a natural laugh and a very wicked sense of humour. You only have to look at the titles of her books. “Upright with Knickers On” and the highly anticipated sequel…… “Upright with Boxers On”. Love She expressed love freely and encouraged us all to continue to forge relationships with our children. They were not lost. They were at the heart of everything we did and Gina taught me that we live on to honour them. It was a lesson that saved my sanity. Her warmth and contagious smile left all who met her in awe. That she should be so graceful and serene after losing not one child but two was a constant wonder to us all. Gina helped us find direction. She was after all a teacher. She taught us that while our loss was catastrophic, we could have productive, functional and yes, joyful lives carrying our children with us. To Gina our relationship with our children continued and was the heart of everything we did. While we must live with grief we can do so positively and she gently coaxed many parents out of anguish and towards hope. So many are grateful to her for that gift. Be gentle on yourself. Her constant mantra. She also had a very clever way of making you do what she wanted. When I finally managed to persuade my husband Terry to come with me to a retreat some years ago, it was on the strict understanding that l would not ask him to participate or engage in any groups or events. Within 24 hours she had got him to lead a walk for bereaved parents. Gina had asked him to do it and he couldn’t refuse her. Perhaps it was the Welsh accent or their bonding over the rugby; whatever method she used, she had a plan for us all. Fundamentally she taught me that grieving becomes more bearable if you are in a community. They say that TCF is a village; I call it a tribe. And today, it feels as though we are bidding farewell to our Queen. Our elder stateswoman. Thank you for your love Gina. We will miss you but we thank you for all that you taught us. I pledge to put it to good use and carry your vision into the future. TCF NEWS |IN MEMORIAM
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