TCF
 

July 18th-20, 2008

I am excited to travel to Nashville this summer to attend the 31st Annual TCF  National Conference.  I will  be presenting two different workshops.

Whispers of Love; signs from our children. 

This workshop is designed to inform, educate and discuss the phenomenon of signs from our children who have died. Finding pennies,the butterfly that lingers,the song on the radio at just the right time, lights going on and off, their smell on the wind, orbs on a photo, their embrace in a dream. 

Some bereaved parents get many signs, some have never experienced it at all or may not have recognized it when it presented itself.  Why do younger siblings have more experiences? Why do some Moms get none at all?  Can everyone get a sign some day?  What should we be careful of in seeking this phenomenon? Many examples of signs will be shared as well some extraordinary photographs on OVHD slides.

2nd Workshop:

Moving from Loss to Legacy

 We can honor our our child by what we do with our life. A "Grief Child "  is the product of our grief that keeps our child alive in this world, a focus for our survival, a catharsis for our heart and a gift to others.

 We actually die twice, once when our bodies die, twice when no one no longer speaks our name.  I will never allow my child to die a second time.  We become their voice, their hands, their legacy. We substantiate their life by the way we live ours.

TCF National Conference information:

Nashville City, known as Music City USA, home of country western music, will be the host city for the 31st national conference of The Compassionate Friends July 18-20, 2008.
            The conference committee selected the theme Volunteers for Healing—Friends for the Future, a name that is very appropriate as TCF national conferences are always regarded as great healing experiences and a great place to find friends for life. The 2008 conference will have special guest speakers and entertainers, more than 100 workshops covering most aspects of grief following the death of a child, and many additional activities including the ninth annual two-mile Walk to Remember® at 8 a.m. Sunday July, 20. A pre-conference day for professionals and interested bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents will be Thursday, July 17.
          Joe and Iris Lawley, founding parents of The Compassionate Friends, had planned to keynote at the conference, but for health reasons have been forced to cancel their plans to attend the conference on this, the 40th anniversary of the founding of the organization. All of us at TCF wish Joe and Iris a quick return to good health.
          TCF is pleased to announce that among keynoters at the national conference will be Bruce Murakami, who will share the riveting story of how he has bonded and teamed up, in the name of safety and saving lives, with the drag racing teen who ended the lives of his wife and daughter. Bruce’s incredible story has been featured on Oprah, NBC Dateline, The John Walsh Show, The Montel Williams Show, and has been made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness.
          Stop back for news on additional keynote speakers.
          To allow everyone to be a part of the 2008 conference committee experience, the conference committee plans to decorate the conference area with real 7” vinyl records that have pictures of our TCF children remembered in the center. The “sponsor a record” program is similar to programs available for previous conferences. For a nominal charge (to help defray the cost of the conference), pictures sent in of our TCF children will be placed on the records (which are pressed with real grooves, but will not have music) and will decorate the registration area, and reflection and hospitality rooms. To participate, download the Sponsor a Record order form and follow the easy instructions. Whether or not you are able to attend the conference, a child, sibling, grandchild, or loved one can still be remembered.
            Those who attend the conference and have a record made will be able to carry them home. After the conference concludes, those unable to attend who would like their child’s record can have it mailed to them.
            The conference will be held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel and a room rate of $124 (plus tax) is now available for guests attending the conference. You can take advantage of this rate by calling 888-627-7060. Please mention that you are with The Compassionate Friends.
            You may also register online at Room Registration
           As always it is suggested that you register early to avoid disappointment. This rate will be available through June 20, 2008 (or until the room block has been filled). The beautiful Sheraton Music City Hotel, which recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation, is located at 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN. 37214. As always, we suggest you register early to avoid disappointment.    


The Compassionate Friends Home Page

The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to  assist families toward the positive resolution
of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. 

     BPUSA

July 11 - 13, 2008

Once again it's back to St Louis to attend the Bereaved Parents USA Annual National Gathering. BPUSA  is like a second family to me and St. Louis is like going home.

 I will be a Keynote Speaker, workshop presenter, heading up the Sibling Program, performing sing language to some of Alan Petersen's wonderful songs and conducting the BPUSA Sibling Signing Choir.

See Workshop descriptions  to the left.

   BPUSA Gathering Information:

BP/USA Annual National Gathering....   
Seeds of Hope
July 11 - 13, 2008
Crowne Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri

Bereaved Parents of the USA (BP/USA) presents the National 2008 Annual Gathering July 11-13 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri. The National Gathering is a time for parents, siblings and families to come together to experience SEEDS OF HOPE by attending workshops, sharing sessions, and speaker presentations to learn new ways to cope through this devastating nightmare.

Life does not prepare us to deal with the death of our child. Parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members who have walked this path share the necessary coping skills to survive. There will be workshops addressing all aspects of grief. The presenters will range from parents and professionals, to your favorite authors.


Other features of the Gathering include browsing the Butterfly Boutique, Book Store, Raffle items, Hospitality House, and the very special Saturday night Candlelighting and Picture Presentation of all our beautiful children.  

When a child dies, everyone in the family is affected.  There will be special workshops addressing siblings and other family members’ needs in addition to the parents’ workshops.

The Parents, siblings and family members that attend are serious about educating themselves on the grief process, healing and truly wanting to learn how to live again. The Gathering provides a safe environment, where no one is a stranger. Parents, siblings and families find that at the end of the weekend they feel at peace