inside this issue oct 2014.pdfvolume 23, no. 7 october 2014 autumn memories memories that i will...
TRANSCRIPT
VOLUME 23 , NO . 7 OCTOBER 2014
Autumn Memories
My son and I always enjoyed the autumn season. Yes, when we lived in the cold zone, we knew that winter’s winds and snows were on the way. But, yet, we took time to enjoy the beautiful array of colors that nature gave us as a final salute to the growing season.
Todd and I raked leaves in the autumn. I had purchased a home in a town on the Mississippi River bluffs; the home had been built in the 1860s and I am sure some of the trees were well over 50 years old. The leaves would fall and we would rake. We made a game of it. Sometimes his best friend, Allen, would come over and help. The boys would jump into the piles and laugh with delight. We’d create a big pile and rake it to the concrete so that it could be burned. I can still see Todd laughing and dancing around that fire. His pure childhood joy was contagious.
Todd and I loved to look at the changing leaves along the bluffs of the river. We would drive on weekends and find the best view. Then we’d park and marvel at nature’s wonder. The big bluffs, the turning leaves, the eagles soaring above us. Ducks flying south… even the occasional group of geese overhead… honking, honking as they journeyed to a warmer climate.
The light is different in the autumn… it’s diffused somehow. It’s different than the light in any other season. Autumn sun was our favorite light. It seemed less harsh, more forgiving, gentler in a strange sort of way. That was another time and another place.
Now in the autumn I remember all the special times I shared with my child. Looking at leaves, collecting leaves, raking leaves… we did this together, just the two of us. “Mom, when are we going to go look at leaves?” Todd would ask. That was my cue to load up some soft drinks and sandwiches and head out on the first sunny Saturday. We’d repeat this ritual until the leaves had all fallen and it was time to rake.
When we moved to the Houston area, Todd was 12, and we talked about the seasons. He told me about his great memories of leaves and drives and time together. He said he would miss autumn with me. That made me feel good. These were memories that we shared, of a time when it was just Todd and me for those special moments. Looking back, I am so glad that I spent the time to make memories. I thought I was making memories for my child, but in fact, I was making memories for us both. And now those memories are my memories… good memories…
memories that I will cherish always.
Here it is autumn again. Soon Todd will be gone five years. The memories are flooding back: the first day of school each year, the changes as he grew to become a man. High school, college, graduate school… all began in the autumn. Autumn marks the beginning of many good memories for me. I listen as the school bus stops in front of our house to pick up today’s children. Once in a while I go to the door and watch them load up, chatting with each other as they take their seats. I think of my 12 year old son, getting on that bus in front of our home for the first time: the first day of school in Houston. And for a moment, just a fleeting moment, I think I can see him sitting at a window seat, waving at me. Waving goodbye.
~Annette Mennen Baldwin In memory of her son, Todd Mennen
TCF, Katy, TX
Inside this issue:
Calendar and Contacts 2
Arlington Chapter 3
Fairfax Chapter 4
Leesburg Chapter 5
Prince William Chapter 6
Reston Chapter 7
Washington, DC Chapter 8
Resources 9
Our Children Remembered 10
Page 2 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
Arlington Chapter Contact: Lois Copeland 301-520-0225 [email protected]
Please send “Love Gifts” to: Wayne Hubbard 23230 Linden Ct. Lexington Park, MD 20653
Trinity Presbyterian Church 5533 N.16th St Arlington, VA Second Thursdays 7:30 PM
Fairfax Chapter Contact: Carol Marino [email protected] Chapter Phone: (703) 622-3639
Please send “Love Gifts” to: Monica Clark 5444 Ladue Lane Fairfax, VA 22030 Attn: TCF
Old St. Mary’s Hall next to St. Mary’s Historic Church and Cemetery Fairfax Station Rd and Route 123 Fairfax, VA 22030 First Wednesdays 7:30 PM
Leesburg Chapter Contact: Bev or Bernie Elero (540) 882-9707
Please send “Love Gifts” to: Mrs. Anne Shattuck 224 Walnut Ridge Ln. Palmyra, VA 22963
St. James Episcopal Church Janney Parlor 14 Cornwall St NW Leesburg, VA First Wednesdays 7:30 PM
Prince William Chapter Contact: Jennifer Malloch [email protected] (571) 229-0768
Please send “Love Gifts” to: Melody Ridgeway 9366 Dahlia Ct. Manassas, VA 20110
Grace United Methodist Church Library, 2nd Floor 9750 Wellington Rd Manassas, VA Third Wednesdays 7:30 PM
North County Gov Bld. Reston Police Station Bld. 12000 Bowman Towne Drive Reston, VA Second Saturdays 2:00 PM
TCF Reston (for no surviving children) Contact: Nancy Vollmer (VA) (703) 860-8587 Sharon Skarzynski (MD) (410) 757-5049
Washington, DC Chapter
Please send “Love Gifts” to: Coralease Ruff 3314 Applegrove Ct. Oak Hill, VA 20171
The Howard University The Blackburn Center 2397 Sixth Street, NW Washington, DC 20059 Third Wednesdays 7:00 PM
Newsletter Team Editor Janet Keeports [email protected] Database Manager Brenda Sullivan [email protected] Treasurer Wayne Hubbard 23230 Linden Ct. Lexington Park, MD 20653 [email protected] Reporters: Arlington Ron Byrd [email protected] Fairfax Katy Frank, [email protected] Washington, DC Veronica Stubbs, [email protected] Leesburg Bev Elero, [email protected] Prince William Selina Farmer-Williams [email protected] Reston Kathy Grapski, [email protected]
Regional Coordinator Kathy Collins [email protected] TCF National Headquarters PO Box 3696 Oak Brook IL 60522-3696 www.compassionatefriends.org (877) 969-0010
Arlington Website www.tcfarlington.org Webmaster: Mary M.Bell [email protected]
Fairfax Website www.tcffairfax.org
Leesburg Website www.tcfleesburg.org [email protected]
Prince William Website www.tcfprincewilliam.org [email protected]
Washington, DC Website www.tcfwashingtondc.org
Meetings October 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2013
7:30 PM Fairfax
7:30 PM Leesburg
Thursday, October 9, 2013
7:30 PM Arlington
Saturday, October 11, 2013
2:00 PM Reston
Wednesday, October 15, 2013
7:30 PM Prince William
7:00 PM Washington, DC
Page 3 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
A Grieving Parent A grieving parent is someone who:
never forgets their child no matter how painful the memories are.
A grieving parent is someone who:
yearns to be with their child, but cannot conceive leaving their living ones.
A grieving parent is someone who:
has a part of a heart because the rest is buried with their child.
A grieving parent is someone who:
begs for relief from the memories which plague them, and then feels guilty when they get it.
A grieving parent is someone who:
pretends to be happy and enjoying life when they are really dying inside.
A grieving parent is someone who:
can cry or laugh at the drop of a hat whenever they remember their beloved child.
A grieving parent is someone who:
feels as though they just lost their child yesterday, no matter how much time has passed.
A grieving parent is someone who:
fears for their remaining family because they cannot bear to have any more losses.
A grieving parent is someone who:
Sits by their child’s gravestone and feels a knife stabbing their heart.
A grieving parent is someone who:
wants to help others who have lost their loved ones because somehow that loss is theirs all over again.
By Susie Cross
~Shared at TCF, Rochester, NY Candle Lighting, December 2007
Erika Byrd
The Grief of a Parent Who Has Lost An Older Child
Perhaps I had my child longer than you had yours, but 42 years does not seem long. Perhaps there are more memories to hold in my heart, but I know yours are just as dear to you as mine are to me, even if your memories are memories of only one or two days.
Your dreams for your child are gone. So are mine. Never did I imagine that I would have to deal with my child's death, instead of her having to deal with mine. My Erika died from a terminal illness that is not one of the "acceptable" diseases. My child died from alcohol. The tools for remission of this disease are placed in the hands of the person who has the disease. Even with the help of treatment centers, the recovery was not to be. One day at a time, my recovery is taking place. The pain after three and a half years has gone to a place where it can be tolerated. My story and my age may be different from yours, but the bottom line is the same. My child has gone to a place where I cannot go and I miss her so much. The pain of grief is still here, but I am living life one day at a time, enriched because my daughter came through my wife’s body into our lives.
~Ron Byrd, your new Arlington page reporter
______________________________________
Please mark your calendars for the Annual TCF Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, 14 December at 7:00 P.M. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5533 16th St N, Arlington, VA 22205
There’s no way around grief and loss: you can dodge it all you want, but sooner or later you just have to go into it, through it, and, hopefully come out the other side. The world you find there will never be the same as the world you left.
~Johnny Cash
Welcome to New Members
We are sorry you need us, but are glad you found us:
Louisa Marinaccio, mother of Andrew Marinaccio,
Michelle Klancnik, mother of Ethan Klancnik
Bradford Harries, father of Hunter Harries.
Page 4 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
Men Do Cry
I hear quite often “Men don’t cry” Though no one ever told me why
So when I fell and skinned my knee No one came by to comfort me.
And when some bully boy at school Would pull a prank so mean and cruel
I’d quickly learn to turn and quip “It doesn’t hurt” and bite my lip.
So as I grew to reasoned years I learned to stifle any tears.
Though “Be a big boy” it began Quite soon I learned to “Be a man.”
And I could play that stoic role While storm and tempest wracked my soul.
No pain nor setback could there be Could wrest one single tear for me.
Then one long night I stood nearby And helplessly watched my child die.
And quickly found to my surprise That all the tearless talk was lies.
And still I cry and have no shame. I cannot play that “big boy” game.
And openly without remorse I let my sorrow take its course.
So those of you who can’t abide A man you’ve seen who’s often cried. Reach out to him with all your heart As one who’s life’s been torn apart.
For men do cry when they can see Their loss of immortality.
And tears will come in endless streams When mindless fate destroys their dreams.
~By Ken Falk, TCF Northwest, CT Submitted by Fedor Yelicie TCF Fairfax, VA
Aidan, My Son
A gift from God was given to us Twas in the month of June He called you in October In our eyes way too soon. While on this Earth you blessed us With laughs and cries and smiles The memories we have of you Will last for a long while. We’ll never know the reason He chose us to bear this grief. But knowing that you’re safe with Him Gives Mom and I relief. The things we couldn’t do on Earth Like play ball, hunt and fish We’ll do some day in Heaven This is my greatest wish. So on the day God calls me home I look forward to the fun When I can finally be with you My beloved Aidan, my son.
~By Gary Frank, TCF, Fairfax, VA
Welcome to New Members
We are sorry you need us, but we are glad you found us:
Douglas & Joann Firman of Springfield, VA,
parents of Jeffrey Firman
Shashi Gowda of Fairfax, VA, parent of Dylan Joseph Gowda
Cindy Davenport of Centreville, VA,
parent of Zachary Davenport
Love Gifts
Thank you for the Love Gifts
Mary Edosomwan
Walk to Remember Donation in memory of Aidan Frank
Page 5 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
The Color Returns
I have always loved the autumn - the beautifully colored leaves, the gorgeous sunsets, the chill in the air and the anticipation of cozy holiday times to come. I remember you jumping in the leaves, pressing colored leaves in a book, the fun Halloween costumes you wore, riding in a Halloween parade, and carving pumpkins. The fall was all dressed up in beautiful colors. The autumn you died the color left my life. I lived in shades of black and gray. The color came back gradually over the years but the colors were not vibrant and beautiful as they once were. Instead of anticipating the cozy holiday times with my family, I dreaded them at first and then just lived through them. One year in the fall the color returned to my life. I looked at the trees and leaves and the colors came back to me. God put in my heart a new season of vivid color and hope. As I looked at the trees, I thought of the cross where Jesus was crucified. The crimson leaves were the color of the blood He shed for our sins and salvation. The beautiful golden leaves were like the golden streets of heaven where you now walk. The yellow leaves glistened with the eternal light of heaven. The orange leaves represented the joy of heaven. The green leaves still left on the tree reminded me that hope will return with new growth. I am so thankful for the hope of heaven to come. I picture you in heaven, joyfully living in brilliant technicolor!
~Beverly Elero, Brian’s mom, TCF, Leesburg, VA Brian’s Heaven Date is October 29
Dear Bereaved Parents. Grandparents and Siblings, I pray that the color will return to your life and you will have renewed hope.
The Colors Come Back
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. I had a class or two with your brother and I very much recall there was this sort of grace, kindness and warmth about him that I can’t quite articulate; extremely rare and beautiful qualities. I know your heart is breaking into a million pieces. And maybe it just feels like you can’t breathe and take any steps forward or maybe you go into that numb and in-shock state where you can’t feel and you just want to protect your family and be strong for them. I can’t tell you anything to help you, though sincerely, I really would give anything to do so. For what it’s worth, through my humble experience, it doesn’t so much get easier but it will get better. Almost 10 years later, my brother’s death still catches me off guard sometimes but as absurd as this sounds, the colors will come back and hope will grow.
~Bridget Elero, sister of Brian Elero, written to Sarah Quin, sister of Michael Quin
TCF, Leesburg, VA
October Memories
October’s here, the air is bright, The leaves decked out in fancy dress, The clouds in shapes of animals Hang in the sky so blue. This was our time of year, your favorite. How many times did you come in, Cheeks glowing, eyes sparkling, Smelling of the leaves you jumped through As a child and even after you grew up. How many times did you say “Just smell, just feel the air. I love it crisp, with A hint of winter coming.” Our time, but now only my time. Time to dream dreams that won’t be. Time to wish wishes that can’t come true, Time to remember and treasure Each day we had together. Time for October’s memories.
~Arden Lansing, BP/USA, New Jersey
Soft rain falls gently on my weary eyes,
As if to hide a single tear. My life will be forever autumn,
Because you’re not here.
~The Moody Blues
A Warm Welcome
Estee Hafassa, Mother of Lina Hafassa
Sandra & Eduardo Sierra, Parents of Christian Sierra.
Kathy Kupka, Mother of Shani Sands
Thank You for Your Love Gift
Carmelo Spirio, in loving memory of his son,
Paul Carmelo Spirio
Page 6 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
Kimberly Darlene Clark
After being on this journey for over 10 years I have come to some conclusions. I can only share what works for me, I can't tell you what will work for you. I can only share things that give me comfort I can't tell you what will give you comfort, I can only share my feelings, I can't make them your feelings. I can only tell you I do NOT know exactly how you feel. I do have an idea of what you are going through but no two people know exactly how the other feels. I can tell you that my heart breaks for each of us on this lifelong journey. I can tell you that I am so very sorry that you have become a member of this club. I can hope for you to find what works for you. I can hope for you to find a way to live with your grief. I can hope for you to find ways to honor your child and their memory. I can hope for you that you learn to be kind to yourself I can hope for you that you learn to be happy. I can hope for you that you learn be yourself. I can hope that you remember that no one can tell you how you should feel. I can hope that you remember that no one can tell you how you should act. I can hope that you remember that no one can tell you how you should live. Sending each of you on this journey warm (hugs).
~In Loving Memory of Kimberly dedicated and written by Jennifer Matthews Malloch,
TCF, Prince William, VA
Love's Lasting Touch
Don't weep for me when I'm gone,
Because I'll always be there.
My spirit will exist in all the earth,
In the water, trees, and air.
You'll hear me say, "I love you",
In the whisper of a breeze.
You'll know that I'm beside you,
With the rustling of the leaves.
You'll feel my arms caress you,
In the warmth of each sunrise.
The moon will be my goodnight kiss,
The stars my watchful eyes.
Your life will be my legacy,
Your memories my epitaph.
These ties will bind us together,
Till we meet on heaven's path.
I'll not ever desert you,
We'll never be far apart.
I'll live within you always,
Nestled deep inside your heart.
~Jacquelyn M. Comeaux In Memory of My Angels Michelle, Jerry & Danny
Copyright 1994 Reprinted by permission of author
Page 7 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
To Our New Members
Coming to your first meeting is the hardest thing to do. Try not to judge your first meeting as to whether or not TCF will work for you. The second, third, or fourth meeting might be the time you will find the right person or just the right words that will help you in your grief or comfort you. Remember we have all been there and even though circumstances may be different we really do understand. You are not alone.
Summer’s End
Always at summer’s end there comes that moment
when memory brings to me gifts from the past.
I see your faces then, glistening in the sun.
I hear your laughter then, shared by the wind.
And in that glint of time I feel you near again,
as you were, long ago, at summer’s end.
~Sascha Wagner
He Plays a Harp
No doctor ever told Roberta King and Mike Miesch that their son was destined for a short life. Born prematurely and with cerebral palsy, Noah lived seventeen happy and healthy years until a lung infection ended his life within two weeks of a hospitalization.
In this memoir, stories and essays about Noah’s life are intermingled with pieces about his illness, death and the aftermath of his death on his parents.
The life stories are surprisingly light-hearted and fun, but offer a view into the complexities of parenting a child with a disability. They include a shocking three-day suspension from elementary school for pulling a fire alarm, the family’s therapeutic horseback riding lessons, and a mom who read to her son every night before bed for seventeen years.
I had the opportunity to sit in Mrs. King’s workshop at the TCF Conference this summer. I enjoyed the workshop very much. We all talked about our children and funny things they did. I have enjoyed reading her book.
~By Roberta F. King, Submitted by Kathy Grapski, TCF Reston, VA
October
There is a little chill in the air as the leaves begin to fall and in the stores are the many Halloween decorations and costumes. Although sad that Lauryn is not here to enjoy one of her favorite days; a smile comes to my face as I remember the various costumes. Papa Smurf, oh yea, not Smurfette she wanted to be Papa Smurf “Because he’s in charge.” Then there was a clown, police and Indian outfits all made by my Mother. When Lauryn was older after Trick or Treating her friends would return to our house and dump their candy out and trade each other for the candy they liked the best.
We always get a pumpkin and decorate because that is what we did when Lauryn lived here. In loving memory we continue that tradition. I hope there is something about Halloween you might enjoy in memory of your sweet child.
~Kathy Grapski, TCF, Reston, VA
Did you know?
The Compassionate Friends is connected with a great resource for grief books. If you are interested in finding grief books, check out Centering Corporation, the official recommended grief resource center of The Compassionate Friends. With the largest selection of grief-related resources in the United States, Centering Corporation will probably have just about anything you're looking for – or they'll be able to tell you where to find it. Call Centering Corporation for a catalog at 866-218-0101 (toll free) or visit their website at http://www.centering.org .
When ordering, be sure to mention you are with The Compassionate Friends and all shipping charges will be waived.
Page 8 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
The Compassionate Friends means many different things to its members. Author and lecturer, Maria Housden, in anticipation of the 2003 National Conference in Atlanta, reflects on what TCF means to her in the excerpt below. I encourage you to stop and take a minute to think about what TCF means to you. For me it has been and continues to be a safe, nurturing, non-threatening haven where I can be totally honest and open and know that I will be cared for and understood. Wishing you Peace.
~Veronica Stubbs, TCF, Washington, DC Darrin’s Mom, Jay and Sean’s Aunt
Hannah
When my daughter Hannah died of cancer one month before her fourth birthday, I felt as though I had passed through an invisible fold in the universe and landed in some altered state of reality. Nothing was the same, and yet everything was painfully unchanged. Hannah’s death woke me to an inherent loneliness in me. Although many people in our family, church, and community had stepped forward to help, nothing could erase the sense of separation I felt from the life I had lived for many years and the life I was now living. It was as if there was a huge chasm between me and everyone else, and no one could understand the depth of my sadness and grief.
Our Western cultural traditions and beliefs do little to prepare us for the grief we experience after the death of a child. Grief has no rules, no timeline, and no expiration date. And while each parent, sibling, and family has its own unique way of grieving, our pain is compounded by an uncertainty about what we’re supposed to do. Death is something no one wants to acknowledge or talk about. Even the most well-meaning friends and family experience an increasing sense of impotence as time passes and our grief remains.
For months after Hannah’s death, despite the intensity of my pain, I resisted the idea of going to a Compassionate Friends meeting. The thought of sitting in a room full of other bereaved parents overwhelmed me. I was certain that it would leave me feeling more hopeless and depressed than I was already feeling. Eventually, though, my sense of isolation and my need to talk to other people about Hannah forced me to reconsider. I will forever be grateful that I did.
While The Compassionate Friends was not the answer to my grief, it was a door to what else was possible in it. The Compassionate Friends became, for me, a lifeline, a place to go whenever I needed to share and remember Hannah in the company of others who were not afraid of my tears, who did not need me to feel better, who understood that years pass but the loss remains. It was a place where bereaved parents shared a sense of hope and possibility with each other and laughed about things no one else dared to. It made a difference in my life, not because it told me what to do or how to feel, but because it encouraged me to be exactly where I was. It gave me permission that I couldn’t give myself, to remember, to cry, to be silent, to feel.
The Compassionate Friends is different things to different people, but for me, it’s ultimately about kindness, a willingness to simply show up for each other, in the midst of whatever is happening. We show up because of what we know and because
of what we are still struggling to know. We show up to feel less alone or because someone else, who is hurting more than we are, needs us to be there. I feel honored to be attending my first national conference, the 2003 National Conference in Atlanta, and to be invited as the opening ceremony speaker. I look forward to being in a room with so many other parents who know something I am both sad and blessed to know; to feel the sense of comfort that is possible only when bereaved parents stand silently together, in their singular and shared suffering. Because in that place there is no need for words, there is only kindness.
~Maria Housden Reprinted with permission,
We Need Not Walk Alone, Spring 2003
It’s Okay
It’s okay
To cry,
To not cry,
To feel guilty,
To be angry,
To stop being angry,
To seek answers,
To stop seeking answers,
To feel responsible,
To feel sorry for yourself,
To be mad at your child,
To feel misunderstood,
To reach out for help,
To let out your pain,
To care what others think,
To not care what others think,
To let go of your child’s death,
To embrace your child’s life,
To lose your expectations,
To grieve any way you want,
To give yourself a break,
To believe in signs,
To stop hating,
To forgive,
To smile without guilt,
To find joy,
To heal,
To begin to live again,
To laugh,
To love yourself
It’s okay, it’s all okay.
~By Rob Anderson, Brendon’s Dad Reprinted with permission
We Need Not Walk Alone, Autumn 2004
Page 9 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
Resources Survivors of Suicide www.survivorsofsuicide.com American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
www.afsp.org 888-333-2377 Parents of Murdered Children
www.pomc.com 888-818-7662 Haven of Northern Virginia
www.havenofnova.org 703-941-7000 CrisisLink
www.crisislink.org 703-527-4077 SHARE (pregnancy & infant loss support)
www.nationalshare.org 800-821-6819
MISS Foundation (pregnancy/infant loss support)
www.missfoundation.org. (national)
www.dcmissfoundation.org (local chapter)
Roberta Quick 703-728-8446 Washington Regional Transplant Community
www.beadonor.org 703-641-0100
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255 (TALK)
Other helpful websites:
www.griefnet.org
www.goodgrief.org
www.thebereavementjourney.com
www.griefwatch.com
www.journeyofhearts.org
www.bereavedparentsusa.org
www.healingheart.net
www.childrenofdome.com
www.spacebetweenbreaths.com
www.holdingontolove.com
www.griefhaven.com
www.centerforloss.com
TCF National Office Seeks Your Stories and Articles
For many years, The Compassionate Friends National Office has provided on its Leadership Site stories and poems by TCF members that can be cut and pasted into chapter newsletters around the country. The National Office, in order to better serve its newsletter editors and members who receive support from chapter newsletters, has committed to doubling, over the next two years, the number of articles and poems available to the chapter newsletter editors. Currently, the Newsletter Editor Database has 500 stories and 150 poems. The National Office would like to include your personal grief related stories and poems. Please submit your articles and poems to the National Office. Please include your name and chapter affiliation.
Sign up for Compassionate Friends E-Newsletter
The Compassionate Friends National Office publishes a monthly e-newsletter designed to keep you up-to-date on what's going on with the organization and its more than 630 chapters. Published once a month (as well as occasional special editions), the e-newsletter includes information on such things as TCF National Conferences, the Walk to Remember, the Worldwide Candle Lighting, regional conferences, and other events of importance. Each e-newsletter also includes a story specially selected from a past edition of We Need Not Walk Alone, the national magazine of The Compassionate Friends. For the siblings, the e-newsletter features a past question and answer column by Dr. Mary Paulson. All you have to do to receive The Compassionate Friends e-newsletter is sign up for it online by visiting The Compassionate Friends national website at www.compassionatefriends.org. and clicking on e-newsletter at the top of the Home page.
Page 10 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
Please contact your local chapter leadership about any errors or omissions.
Humberto "Beto" Cruz Oct 1 Jane & Ronaldo Cruz
Owen T. O'Hara Oct 1 Gerald & Jacqueline O'Hara
Ryan Matthew Trant Oct 1 Tim & Peggy Trant
Dillon Jutras Oct 2 Julia Jutras
Cord Duff Oct 3 Tiffany Trojca
Patricia (Patti) Annette Ware Oct 3 Dawn & Ron Cain
Leslie E. Gooding III Oct 4 Leslie Gooding & Olive Davies
Timothy Susco Oct 4 Nancy & Tom Susco
Karen Jeanette Myers Oct 5 Joyce & C. Richard Myers
Jorge Falcon, Jr. Oct 6 Doris Falcon
Baby Guinn Oct 8 Gary & Linda Guinn
Timothy Auton Oct 9 Sylvia Hanvey
Brian Cline Oct 9 Anne & Roger Cline
Danica Canfield Oct 10 Sandy & Jeff Canfield
Jamie Alexander Oct 12 Dave Alexander
Nicole Marie Megaloudis Oct 12 Gail & Thomas Rongen
Jack Mann Oct 14 Sally & Roy Mann
Tyler Masters Oct 14 Sarah Kerrigan
Collin Taamai Oct 14 Emily Swanson
Mary Ellene Robertson Oct 15 Sandra & Alfred Robertson
Stephen Agyin Oct 16 Samuel Agyin
(Elizabeth Marie) Lisa Champlin
Oct 16 Linda & Glen Nielsen
Linda Clark Oct 16 Ellie Clark
Teresa Gail Gustafson Oct 16 John & Melinda Scott
Joshua Ryan Lutz Leven Oct 16 Yvonne & Brett Leven
Pamela Marealle Oct 16 Felista Koaale
Siobhan Russell Oct 16 Lynne & Andrew Russell
Matthew Klopfer Oct 17 Al Klopfer
Matthew Sheehy Oct 17 Kathy Sheehy
Everett Allan Oct 18 Scott & Heather Allan
Sharon Cutlip Oct 18 Judyth Britt
Thomas (Tom) Brendan Gallagher
Oct 18 June & Robert Gallagher
Olivia Marcella Noll Oct 18 Danielle & Matthew Noll
Alex Atanasov Oct 20 Kathy Atanasov
Johnny W. Lender Jr. Oct 20 John Lender
Herve J LeBoeuf, IV Oct 21 Renee & Herve LeBoeuf
Hana Kimble Oct 22 Michael Kimble
David Lee Lauderback Oct 22 Gaye & Wayne Lauderback
Scott Wedell Oct 23 Joan Wedell
Bridget Coneys Oct 25 Margaret Coneys
Pouneh Bahri Oct 25 Azi Bahri
Toby Kline Oct 25 Bessie Kline
Mary Elizabeth Robinson
Oct 25 Cecil & R. Townsend Robinson
Bryan Weed Oct 25 Karen & Jim Weed
Connor Murray Oct 27 Erin & Eric Murray
Sarah Winthrop Oct 27 Joanne & Tom Winthrop
Caroline Schippereit Oct 29 Marianne & Stuart Schippereit
Angela Gardner Oct 30 Liz & Gerry Gardner
Andrew Duncan Morrow Oct 31 Carolyn & Duncan Morrow
Brandon Perle Jul 31 Patricia & Michael Perle
Daniel Selmonosky Jul 31 Sonia & Carlos Selmomosky
Page 11 The Compassionate friends • Northern Virginia and DC October 2014
Please contact your local chapter leadership about any errors or omissions.
Aidan Frank Oct 1 Katy & Gary Frank
Ron (Tiger) Potts Oct 1 Jude Potts
Alan Michael Evenson Oct 2 Harriett & Jack Evenson
Toby Kline Oct 2 Bessie Kline
Cody Cooper Oct 4 Diane Baldino
Elisa Smith Oct 4 Kevin & Sharon Smith
Erica Lynn (Lucy) McGraw
Oct 5 Kay McGraw
Brent Jason Rhoads Oct 5 Stephen & Lynn Rhoads
John Joseph Mullins Oct 6 Margaret A. Mullins
Jay Edosomwan Oct 7 Mary Edosomwan
Michelle Gardner-Quinn Oct 7 Diane Gardner-Quinn
Bryan Glenn Oct 8 Mike & Rosella Glenn
Baby Guinn Oct 8 Gary & Linda Guinn
Derek Michael Tierney Oct 11 Larry & Janet Tierney
Craig Michael Scott Oct 11 Frederick & Anita Scott
Joanna Alise Reed Oct 12 Kent & Karen Womack
Katie Beach Oct 14 Peggy Beach
Jessica Blair Szymanski Oct 15 Dennis & Kathleen Szymanski
Dana Denise Wood Oct 15 Franklin & Marchelle Wood
Alex Burke Oct 16 Sharon Burke
Laura Lynam Oct 17 Terry & Melinda Lynam
Owen Thompson Oct 17 Betty Thompson
Johathan Zinsli Oct 17 Peter Zinsli
Amy Gross Oct 18 Judy & Charlie Hughes
Garrett Christopher Guinn Oct 18 Gary & Linda Guinn
Jacob Allen Miller Oct 18 Kim & Mark Miller
Olivia Marcella Noll Oct 18 Danielle & Matthew Noll
Hal Davis Jr. Oct 19 Anne & Hal Davis
Jessy Lauer Richardson Oct 19 Windy Beck
Maggie Oufiero Oct 20 Judy & Larry Oufiero
Kyle Jared Sullivan Oct 20 Brenda & Tim Sullivan
Leo Santaballa Oct 21 Jose & Elena Santaballa
David Christopher Sheehy Oct 21 Laura & Daniel Sheehy
Brian Jacobsen Oct 22 Sharron Unger
Richard Jackson Oct 22 Margaret & Gary Jackson
Eric Unger Oct 22 Sharron Unger
David Eugene Semanchick Oct 23 Eugene & Joanne Semanchick
Curt Bannon Oct 24 Emily Bannon
Mallory Anne Fraser Oct 25 Carla & Mike Fraser
Ilkhom Khashimova Oct 25 Elena Khashimova
Jamie Alexander Oct 26 Dave Alexander
Gabriella Miller Oct 28 Ellyn Miller
Brian Patrick Elero Oct 29 Beverly & Bernie Elero
Dillon Jutras Oct 29 Julia Jutras
Bradon Rogers Oct 29 Shane Rogers
Vanessa Pean Oct 30 Gail & Leslie Pean
Jennifer Strowe Oct 30 Helene DiSanto
Erin Renee Gaston Oct 31 Joan & Vince Shiban
Kammie Windham Oct 31 Roy & Susie Windham
The Compassionate Friends c/o Trinity Presbyterian Church 5533 North 16th Street Arlington, VA 22205
Address Service Requested
“The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have
known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and they have found their way out of the depths.”
~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
The Mission of The Compassionate Friends: When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.
October 2014