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Members List:
Links Section
Chapter Leader:
Donna Hastings
Dennis Wilkinson
TCF NATIONAL SITE
Carrollton-Farmers Branch, TX
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About The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends of Carrollton-Farmers Branch is a non-profit, self-help support group for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents. We have lived the pain and despair brought by the loss of a loved one and have found understanding and friendship as we share our hurts and our joys through non-denominational fellowship. The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families in the positive resolution following the death of a child and to provide information to help others be supportive.
Our TCF Chapter The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Chapter of The Compassionate Friends meets on the second Thursday of every month at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, 2783 Valwood Parkway, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and last until approximately 9:00 p.m.
Our chapter leaders are
Donna Hastings--DONNALHASTINGS2@aol.com
Yvonne O'Martin--y.omartin@verizon.net
Linda Wilkinson--lwilkinson@coppellisd.com
Why Butterflies?
Since the early centuries, the butterfly has symbolized renewed life. The caterpillar signifies life here on earth; the cocoon, death; and the butterfly, the emergence of the dead into a new, beautiful and freer existence. Frequently, the butterfly is seen with the word "Nika," which means victory. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross movingly tells of seeing butterflies drawn all over the walls of the children's dormitories in the World War II concentration camps. Since Elisabeth believes in the innate intuitiveness of children, she concludes that these children knew their fate and were leaving us a message. Many members of The Compassionate Friends embrace the butterfly a symbol--a sign of hope to them that their children are living in another dimension with greater beauty and freedom-- a comforting thought to many.
"I'll lend you for a little time a child of Mine," He said.
"For you to love him while he lives, and mourn for when I come to claim him.
It may be six or eight years or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me, when I come to call to take him back again?"
I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him, sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."
by Edgar Guest
July 10th:
What to do on our children's birthdays and anniversaries.
August 14th:
What to do with my child's things.
September 11th:
Dealing with Anger and Bitterness
October 9th:
I Remember When....Sharing special memories
Looking for a particular grief book? Look no further than 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 402-553-1200 or visit their Web site at www.centering.org. When ordering, be sure to mention you are with The Compassionate Friends and all shipping charges will be waived.
Fellowship at TCF-CFB
TCF Meet for Dinner before the Meeting!
Second Thursday of the Month
5:30 p.m.
El Chico’s
1725 S. I 35E
Carrollton
Valwood Parkway Exit On the north east side of the freeway
The Compassionate Friends
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Chapter
Quotes
Hope is like a bird that senses the dawn and carefully starts to sing while it is still dark.
--unknown
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
--Soren Kierkegaard.
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.
--Emily Dickenson
Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.
--Elie Weisel
Helpful Websites www.hopefromheaven.com
This is a family resource site we established in memory of
my cousin's two children who were killed in 1999. Please feel free to share
this site with your chapter families...we also have cards printed up with
the website address on them if you want any of those to make available...
Lucy A. Cain
All Glory Is His Writing Ministry
www.allgloryishis.com
www.hopefromheaven.com
Blog:
http://hope-seekers.blogspot.com
All Glory site vote link:
http://topsites.christiansunite.com/vote.cgi?1153222787
