TCF News, Winter 2020

Winter 2020 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 6 Thank you to Cynthia Sigsworth for this review of our evening with Andrea. It is a profound thing for bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings to be able to hear the thoughts and experiences of others who have passed through this kind of bereavement themselves, and have been able to use that experience to help others. In Andrea's case, she has written her books - Into The Mourning Light (2014), and also Living In The Mourning Light (2020), and also continues to help others by her talks and regular online blogging. She spoke honestly about the pain that she still feels when recounting the circumstances of the death of her son James by drowning in 2005. She does not blur the edges of passing through that experience, but speaks frankly about the intensity of the journey, but also of the hope of finding the "mourning light". Andrea spoke about the toolbox which can be helpful on that journey, especially in the early days and about the need to hear of other's journeys, and the self-help of endorphin releasing exercise and the healing practices of creativity in its many forms, and in her particular case, in writing. She spoke about her gradual return to "colour" in both dress and outlook, and the slow progress through that long journey. I felt it was particularly helpful how she spoke about the secondary loss, or the loss that we can continue to feel at the milestones.... in the family traditions and events which keep on coming around. Andrea spoke too about the eventual desire to live for the loved one who is no longer with us, and to embrace life for them too. The one thing that will always remain the greatest help to other bereaved parents and siblings, especially the newly bereaved, is the honesty, even sometimes the rawness or vulnerability of the speaker, especially when tempered with hope. This is exactly what Andrea did, showing us that the sunshine can shine again, even though it may be tempered by the mist. Read more and listen to Andrea’s talk at www.tcf.org.uk/andreacorrie NOVEMBER Finding the Mourning Light. Hope through the mists of grief with guest speaker Andrea Corrie You can buy Living in the Mourning Light by Andrea Corrie from the TCF website SHOP.