Compassionate Friends of Charlotte, NC

01/03/2026

Thoughts for “Happy New Year”

I don’t know how you have responded to the chipper “Happy New Year” messages flooding your social media and inboxes but they generally land painfully on my fragile heart even afte…

09/15/2025

Bereaved mum, Milan, writes about losing her beloved toddler, Elena: "No matter the age of a child who passes, each parent has some kind of guilt that torments them. More destructive than grief, guilt tears one apart until shreds of the heart and soul remain intact. It’s important to understand that our children come from us but do not belong to us. A parent shapes their child’s destiny, but can’t control it...

I am learning to love the person I am, and the mother I will always be because of her. Grief doesn’t go away in time. Guilt doesn’t magically fade away. As I evolve during my grief journey I am learning to forgive myself. I honor her memory daily and share my love of her with those who are still living."

Read the full article here: https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/coping-with-the-loss-of-a-toddler/

09/15/2025

Lovingly lifted from UK TCF.

Bereaved mum, Milan, writes about losing her beloved toddler, Elena: "No matter the age of a child who passes, each parent has some kind of guilt that torments them. More destructive than grief, guilt tears one apart until shreds of the heart and soul remain intact. It’s important to understand that our children come from us but do not belong to us. A parent shapes their child’s destiny, but can’t control it...

I am learning to love the person I am, and the mother I will always be because of her. Grief doesn’t go away in time. Guilt doesn’t magically fade away. As I evolve during my grief journey I am learning to forgive myself. I honor her memory daily and share my love of her with those who are still living."

Read the full article here: https://www.compassionatefriends.org/blog/coping-with-the-loss-of-a-toddler/

08/04/2025

Lovingly lifted from TCF UK Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E9UkgwJ2L/?mibextid=wwXIfr

"'How many children do you have?' That question. How do you answer that one?

Do you go with honesty, knowing that you are about to drop a bomb into the middle of a normal everyday conversation if you explain? Watch the expression of horror spread over their face, the confusion, sympathy, the quick glance at their own child to make sure this devastating level of loss isn’t catching. Do you lie, and let another little bit of your soul die as you deny your child? Or go vague, but not elaborate? I’ve done all variations over the last year and I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer."

Read the full blog written by bereaved mum Lisa here: https://www.tcf.org.uk/news/guest-blogs/how-many-children-do-you-have/

06/17/2025

Lovingly lifted from TCF UK

"Grief can be utterly exhausting. The reasons for this may seem obvious, such as poor sleep patterns...But there is another element, less visible. Grief is exhausting because of its emotional and mental turmoil."

Abi May, bereaved mum to Pax and Catherine, explores the exhaustive nature of grief and suggests tips on how to manage tiredness and its impact on you. We understand that grief is unique for everyone and encourage readers to take only what resonates with you.

Read her full article, '“I was feeling fine until…” – The tiredness of grief' here:

Grief can be utterly exhausting. The reasons for this may seem obvious, such as poor sleep patterns (a subject I hope to explore later). There may be a lot to take care of related to the death of t…

10/19/2024

https://thelifeididntchoose.com/2019/11/04/the-gap-grows-larger-holding-space-in-the-world-for-my-missing-child/

I’ve written before about how I choose to leave some things just as Dominic left them-even over five years later. It’s my way of maintaining physical space in our home that represents t…

10/08/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/wr5P62z71Ktr8nrt/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Siblings have a unique relationship with one another. They often are the witnesses of important milestones in their growth and development. They can be confidants, protectors, and partners amid life’s challenges. When a sibling dies, surviving siblings’ lives are forever changed. Siblings feel the pressure of the loss in many ways. Siblings may feel pressure to take care of their parents, to be strong for others in the family, or to fill the void left by their sibling. They often feel that a piece of them died when their sibling died.

07/18/2024

Lovingly lifted from The Empty Chair

Instead of saying, "I know what it feels like"... let's say "I cannot imagine your heartbreak". 💔
Instead of saying, "You're strong, you'll get through this... let's say " You'll hurt, and I'll be here.
Instead of saying, "You look like you're doing well...Let's say, "How are you holding up today?"
Instead of saying, "Healing takes time"...let's say "Healing has no timeline".
Instead of saying, "Everything happens for a reason... let's say "This must feel so terribly senseless right now".

And when there are no words to say at all, you don't need to try and find some. Love speaks in silences too. ❤️
~ 'Words' by Ullie Kaye~

07/08/2024

Just landed in New Orleans for our 47th Compassionate Friends National Conference. Hope to see some of our NC chapter members here!

06/15/2024

Hotel Block Closing This Weekend for TCF's National Conference in New Orleans

IF YOU PLAN ON GOING - reserve your room!!

06/05/2024

Lovingly lifted from Still Standing.