TCF News, Winter 2022

Winter 2022 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 2 Christina, Lisa and Trudy were among these first parents to take up this opportunity. Here they share their thoughts about their week at Manoir Mouret. Christina’s Thoughts “This was a TCF retreat like no other as there is nothing organised. But most of us have experienced that deep recognition and empathy when we meet other bereaved parents, some very newly so, and we are able to listen, and to share, our feelings, however short or long our path of loss.” “It was a relief to be able to share a little about my son Adam, as this retreat allowed for everyone to be ‘off duty’ and after 15 years I rarely get to talk about him these days. Also, it really helps more newly bereaved parents to see hands-on, by simply being with those longer bereaved, that life really can be enjoyed again at some time in the future despite our devastating loss – it gives them hope.” Lisa’s Thoughts “For the first time in 18 months, I didn’t spend my days constantly wondering what the point was anymore. Instead, there were sunrises and scenery that reminded me about the beauty of life, despite everything. I was able to relax, really relax, with others who just knew and understood. I felt heard and comfortable listening to, and spending time with others.” “Part way through the week…I realised I had experienced a moment of peace. A moment where I had thought of nothing. Something I imagined would never be possible again. There were so many fleeting moments like this. Moments where I considered that maybe experiencing joy was a realistic possibility at some point. I even slept for the entire night, really slept!” Trudy’s Thoughts “When I read about the opportunity to go away to Manoir Mouret in France with TCF, I made the spontaneous decision to throw caution to the wind and book myself a place on it. My daughter Matilda took her life age 18 in August 2020 and having experienced the empty feeling which came in the aftermath of the first anniversary of her passing, I made the rash decision to fill the days after her second anniversary in a different setting. I couldn’t have hoped for a nicer one! Nestled