TCF- The Compassionate Friends, of SW Florida

03/02/2024

02/05/2024

David Kessler always shares from his heart. Please reach out if you would like to know more about our group.

Here are a couple of excerpts from an excellent and much-longer article, "Grief and the Holidays: Dealing with the Pain," written by author, public speaker, grief and death expert, David Kessler. David's 21-year-old son, David, Jr., died in the summer of 2016. The excerpts have to do with Valentine's Day, only 10 days away now:

VALENTINES DAY
Valentines Day is a day to honor our spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend or anyone we are romantically involved with in the present. The past can represent a hole in your heart where your loved one used to be.

TIPS
- Write a love letter
- Smile a smile for them
- Light a red candle
- Tell someone about them.

JUST REMEMBER
Holidays are clearly some of the roughest terrains we navigate after a loss. Finding meaning in the loss is as individual as we are. We often say a part of us died with them, but finding meaning is also realizing a part of them still lives within us. What is vitally important is that we be present for the loss in whatever form the holidays do or don’t take. These holidays are part of the grieving journey that we must fully feel. They are usually very sad, but sometimes we may catch ourselves doing okay, and we may even have a brief moment of laughter. Now more than ever, be gentle with yourself. Don’t do more than you want, and don’t do anything that does not serve your soul, your loss, or the meaning that still lives within you.

01/09/2024

https://www.youtube.com/

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a self-help bereavement organization for families who have experienced the death of a child. TCF/USA has over 650 chapters...

01/05/2024

This is a wonderful, free opportunity. Please let us know if you have any questions.
In need of a dose of hope? Please join Open to Hope for our International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss with experts in the field of grief and loss devoted to supporting the bereaved. Our mission is to provide an uplifting day of hope and healing to those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Open to Hope International Day of Hope and Healing After Loss Conference 2024 Date: Monday, January 29 Time: 9:00am-2:00pm PST In need of a dose of hope? Please join Open to Hope for our International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss with experts in the field of grief and loss devoted to supportin...

12/05/2023

This is the photo we used on the front of our 36th Annual Candle Lighting program.

11/30/2023

One place for sure that you will find the people who will be that understanding, supportive, and comforting friend are those who have also lost their child or children, sibling(s), or grandchild(ren. You can meet and connect with them through The Compassionate Friends. Whether they are face-to-face at a TCF Chapter Meeting or National Conference at a sharing session, virtually through TCF Facebook groups, Online Chats, or TCF Zoom Meetings, and other places. Your TCF friends are always there...we are here to help you cope, listen to, and care about your journey. You need not walk alone...we are The Compassionate Friends.

11/22/2023

How To Cope With Thanksgiving Grief

(another excerpt from an article by Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT, of the Mindfulness & Grief Institute, with permission from the author)

The first thing you can do to help ease anxiety is to practice self-compassion. Validate your own feelings, and know that there is nothing wrong with you if you dread a holiday without the person you love by your side. Be honest with yourself.

Next, spend a little time planning how you want to "be" on Thanksgiving. Similar to a grief anniversary reaction, the anticipation that builds weeks or months before the Thanksgiving holiday is a normal part of loss, but can contribute to feelings of anxiety and fear. Consider in advance how to handle holiday traditions, family gatherings, extended family visits, and even develop a solid self-care plan so you can get the support you need when grief triggers arise.

Many grieving people share that planning ahead helps them feel more in control, even if that plan gets tossed into the wind Thanksgiving Morning. Just because you plan it, doesn't mean you have to stick with it. Be flexible with your grieving self.

- How are you expecting to feel - or how do you already feel - about the special day?
- What can you do if you feel overwhelmed?
- Are their any objects you want close to you for memory or comfort?
- Who do you want to be around? Who do you want to avoid?
- What do you want to remember or feel on this special day/
This type of reflection is not only helpful during the winter holidays, but can be used for birthdays, anniversaries, angelversaries, and any other day that feels significant.

Finally, Acknowledging that this holiday season will be different without your person is hard, but true. Some members of your family may try to “power through.” The loss effects everyone in your family system, as well as some friends, and each person will have their own unique grief experience. It may be difficult and painful, but there may also be some special times, too.

11/16/2023

Wisdom. Do you know someone grieving the loss of their child?

We are days away from plunging headfirst into the rough and tumble holiday season.   A little over a week from today is Thanksgiving and I don’t know about you, but it seems that once I e…

11/16/2023

Check out page A6
Thank you Scott’s dad for sharing about our Chapter.