Email

Chapter Leader:
Jerry Palady
Webmaster/Editor:
Bill Campbell

Links

	THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS NATIONAL OFFICE
	AFTER A CHILD DIES
	PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDREN
	CENTERING COPORATION
	TCF SOUTHWEST DALLAS ON FACEBOOK
	2011 WALK TO REMEMBER

“The Compassionate Friends is about transforming the pain of grief into the elixir of hope. It takes people out of the isolation society imposes on the bereaved and lets them express their grief naturally. With the shedding of tears, healing comes. And the newly bereaved get to see people who have survived and are learning to live and love again.” —Simon Stephens, founder of The Compassionate Friends

The words of TCF’s Founder, Simon Stephens resonate with those who have come to The Compassionate Friends hoping to find a purpose in a life that suddenly seems so empty. Whether your family has had a child die (at any age from any cause) or you are trying to help those who have gone through this life altering experience, The Compassionate Friends exists to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process.

The Compassionate Friends of Southwest Dallas County meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the parlor of the First United Methodist Church in Duncanville. The church address is 403 S. Main St. The parlor is located behind the church at 206 W. Daniel St.

When you come to a meeting of The Compassionate Friends, we ask that you attend at least three meetings before you decide if the group is for you. For many, the first meeting may also be the first time they’ve been able to talk about what has happened to them and to their family and to the child. This can bring a lot of emotion to the forefront, emotion which seems to disappear over the months as you talk about your loss. Don’t worry, we’ll bring the tissues. Tears are a natural release for a grieving person and is a way to help cleanse the body of toxins.

If you’re shy or unable to talk about your loss, you do not have to speak, although you will have the opportunity. Some people believe it’s harder to talk in front of strangers about something so intimate as the loss of a child, but because everyone else at the meeting has had a similar experience, they understand much of what you are feeling and you will eventually reach a comfort level with those you meet. A point to always keep in mind is that what is said in the meeting stays in the meeting. The privacy of our members is important. We’re all there to work toward healing. It may be hard for you to believe, but occasionally you will hear laughter. This is not a dishonor to any child. Rather it is often a reaction to a wonderful memory of a child.

CHILD CARE IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 972-298-6121 BY 4:30 PM MONDAY BEFORE THE MEETING.

Please check out The Compassionate Friends national website at the left and sign up for the E-Newsletter.

WE NEED NOT WALK ALONE. WE ARE THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS.