Newsletter Volume 36 No. 12 December 2015 Jackson, MS Chapter: P.O. Box 1396; Jackson, MS 39215-1396; 601-713-4357 Web Site: www.tcfjacksonms.com/ National Office: P.O. Box 3696; Oak Brook, Il 60522; 630-990-0010; 877-969-0010 Web Site: www.compassionatefriends.org Editor: Paul A. Broome, [email protected]

Chapter Board of Directors Chapter Leader: Rex & Faye McCord, interim

Long-term Support Coordinator: Corinne Watts 601-992-0642

Treasurer: Virginia Horton: 601-500-1851

Librarian: Tina Taylor

Children’s Memorial Maintenance: John Kessler Plant care: TCF/Jackson Newly Bereaved Support Coordinator: Carolyn Stewart

Bereavement Secretaries: Carolyn Buchanan & Jerry Wigglesworth Infant Support Coordinator: Sid Champion 601-925-0242

Chapter Web Master:

Regional Coordinators:

Carolyn Stewart

Faye & Rex McCord [email protected]

If you wish to connect to the TCF Facebook page, please follow the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JacksonTCF/10151822892593350/?comment_id=10151822894228350 ¬if_t=like or search for: The Compassionate Friends, Jackson, MS Chapter Members at Large: Ed Buchanan, Sue Doucet, Wiley & Wanda Fisher, Wiley & Beth Greer, Sandra Moffett, David Morgan, John & Julia McFarland, Bob Stewart, Joan Wells, Jerry Wigglesworth, Ken &Trisha Zingery Professional Advisory Board: Bill Chancelor, Funeral Director; Chuck Prestwood, Founder Jackson Chapter; Rex & Faye McCord, Regional Coordinators

POSTAGE

PAUL BROOME in memory of CYNTHIA BROOME ED & CAROLYN BUCHANNAN in memory of ASHLEY BUCHANNAN JERRY & CINDY WIGGLESWORTH in memory of LEE WIGGLESWORTH VIRGINIA HORTON in memory of ANDREW THOMAS STANLEY LOVE GIFT MARY ELLEN ALBRITTON in memory of DOUG ALBRITTON PAT & TOMMIE LITTLE in memory of RONALD " BRADY " LITTLE CHILDREN' S MEMORIAL CHARLES PRESTWOOD in memory of KRISSY PRESTWOOD DONATED SUPPLIES REX & FAYE McCord in memory of LANE McCord A SPECIAL LOVE GIFT WILEY & WANDA FISHER in memory of RYAN FISHER KNIGHT

The Compassionate Friends THANK YOU for your donations They are tax deductible and deeply appreciated. Printing of TCF Monthly Newsletter: Courtesy of BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF MS

December 2015

The Compassionate Friends, Inc. Jackson, MS Chapter Newsletter TCF MEETINGS

TCF JACKSON CHAPTER

2nd Tuesdays monthly at 7:00 p.m. Fondren Presbyterian Church – Fellowship Hall 3220 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS

TCF JACKSON CHAPTER NEWS Please be remembering David and Sallye Morgan in your thoughts and prayers as David had an episode with his heart recently. He will most likely follow up with a heart doctor. Also, continue to remember Bob & Joy Gates as Bob continues to recover from a recent scooter accident which may require surgery.

Directions: Take West Lakeland Drive exit off I-55 North until it dead ends into Old Canton Road. Turn right, go to 2nd traffic light. Fondren parking lot is on the right. .

TCF Meeting DECEMBER 8TH - 7:00 P.M. Topic: "A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" Facilitator: David Morgan (Please bring a special ornament to hang on our tree in memory of your child. The ornament can be one your child made or one you bought that holds a special significance to you. (You will take your ornament home with you when we are finished with our program.)

Candle lighting program - Saturday, December 5, 2015 7:00 p.m. Also, we will be meeting that morning at 10:00 to decorate and to set everything up. Please plan to come help if you can. December Newsletter Folding - NOTICE: Because of the holidays our newsletter folding will be on the 3rd Saturday at 3:00 p.m. December 21st instead of the 4th Saturday. Please make special note of the change.

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Although our meetings are held in donated church facilities, The Compassionate Friends is not a religious organization, and espouses no religion affiliation or doctrines. Persons of all faiths (or no faith), creeds, color, and race are welcome.

Our December meeting will be facilitated by David Morgan on the topic: "A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree." Please bring a special ornament to hang on our tree in memory of your child. The ornament can be one your child made or one you bought that holds a special significance to you. You will not want to miss this special meeting.

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Prenatal Bereavement Support Group *1st Wednesday/ Noon UMC Cong. Ctr. Jackson Medical Mall For more information, call Kelly Hinson @ 601-815-7096

Thanks to Wiley and Beth Greer for providing security in our parking lot for our meetings each month and also for our candle lighting service as well. They provide this service in memory of their son, Benjamin Quin (Ben) Greer and we deeply appreciate it.

*If the meeting date falls on a holiday—the following Wednesday

November Meeting Notes

For Children Grieving the Death of a Loved One

There were 22 present, Faye McCord welcomed everyone. Faye reminded everyone about the Candle Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5th our special days were read. The facilitator's were Wiley and Wanda Fisher, subject was the loss of their two children and coping with their loss. They did not think they would survive after the death of their son Daniel till they came to a meeting at TCF'S and someone said you will survive , then the unthinkable happened and their daughter Ryan was killed in an auto wreck . The rest of the world moves on, while your world stops. They said helping with the grandchildren helped, being with other parents grieving and trying to encourage them by telling their story and saying you will survive. Wanda said it helps to come to the candle lighting and other special events that honor our children's lives because you’re with parents that share your grief as they are grieving and they understand the pain and heart ache. They say grieving parents have “disorganization” it’s the breaking up of order, when you lose a child your life is never the same. I can agree with all this, I think the main point I gained is you will survive, it's not easy. We thank you Wiley and Wanda for sharing about your precious memories of your son Daniel and your daughter Ryan. At the close of the meeting we stand and hold hands and say our precious children's names. And thanks to everyone for bring the delicious snacks and to all that came.

The McClean Fletcher Center–12 Northtown Drive, Jackson, MS offers peer support groups for children ages 4-18. This includes the child’s family and meets every other week. For more information call: Jennifer at 601-206-5525 …………………………………………………………………………….. MS SIDS ALLIANCE INFANT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP Monthly 1st Tuesday – 7:00 p.m. River Oaks Hospital Lobby Classroom MS SIDS ALLIANCE offers education to the public and professionals on risk reduction of SIDS and bereavement support. Cathy Files - 601 955- 1057 Leslie Threadgill – 601-573-1458

Virginia Horton, Jackson/TCF 2

December 2015

The Compassionate Friends, Inc. Jackson, MS Chapter Newsletter

My Thoughts

A Holiday To Do List:

Loosing my son Ashley has made my life more unpredictable. Fear seems to creep in more and more. I feel so vulnerable. I need to quit worrying about tomorrow. I need to live in the present. Enjoy the day. Seize the day.

As a reflection back on the past 13 (Wow! has it really been that long?!) Christmases, I would like to share some ways that I have handled the holidays, as well as some additional thoughts. This time of the year is bittersweet for me now, as opposed to the first Christmas without my older brother, David. That was the worst.

Fear should not manage us. Even though it goes hand in hand with vulnerability we can`t let it restrict our daily lives. Fear is common response to losing a child. Lord knows the fear I have had. It doesn`t have to be a necessary response. We don`t need to let fear dictate what we do and think.

At any rate, I can handle November and December much better now. I suppose I’ve learned a little along the way, and gained strength each year. Nonetheless, the anniversary of his death always gets to me. Unfortunately, it falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas on December 9th. Here’s my list of suggestions for honoring a sibling whom you have lost, and on simply making it through yourself:

Ashley has been gone seven years. It has taken me that long (or short) to get a grip on fear. Fear has been dictating my life. When I write in my journal or pen an entry for the news letter it helps me to recognize all the other feelings that tag along with fear. Writing about one`s fear can be healing and remove the grip. It helps to remove its power.

1. Hang that stocking. Go ahead. Put up your sibling’s stocking. It isn’t as though your brother or sister never existed, and isn’t still a part of your life. 2. Write a poem or letter to your sibling and put it in the stocking. 3. Put up a tree, or continue with your holiday traditions. Yes, this is VERY difficult. But for most of our siblings, this was their favorite time of year. Celebrate how blessed you have been to have had your sister or brother for holidays past. Decorate the way THEY would have wanted to, instead of the way you would do it. 4. Create a “memory” box. This is simply a box of belongings from your sibling, or pictures of your sibling, etc. Wrap it in festive holiday paper and put it under your tree if you have one. 5. Buy a gift for your sibling. Maybe it is something they truly would have wanted for the holidays, maybe it’s something the two of you would have enjoyed together or gotten a good laugh out of. This can be VERY therapeutic. 6. Go somewhere that your sibling would have wanted to go--the beach, a movie they would have liked, a favorite restaurant, wherever. “Share” this time with your sibling. This is also good on their birthday. Celebrate that they had a life and that they are a part of yours! 7. Bake a favorite holiday goody of your sibling’s. 8. Get together with your family and cry (and LAUGH – it’s OK to do this) at some great family memories from years past that involved your sibling. Share thoughts on great places you may have visited for the holidays, or anecdotes of you and your sibling trying to peek at what your gifts were ahead of time. 9. Put together a photo album of your sibling. This could be of your sibling’s life in general, or of a specific subject, like the sport your sibling played, or holidays past. 10. Give your album to your parents. Cry (and LAUGH!) at the pictures and the memories they generate.

Friends, write down exactly what you fear. It takes courage to do this. Fear and courage really go hand in hand too. There is a realm of courage we don`t think about. I had to shrink inside myself to charge forward. Our hearts, minds, and bodies have been severely wounded. We have been in the battle of our lives. General Patton said courage is fear holding on a minute longer. As of this writing I am trying to hold on one minute longer. Grab a sandwich and meet me at the Rez. Carolyn Buchanan Jackson, MS TCF Ashley`s mom June 25, 1973—Feb 15, 2008 …………………………………………………………………………………….

A Season of Many Feelings Fall is a season of many feelings Autumn is here once again As it comes every year. And with the leaves My falling tears. This time of year is the hardest of all My heart is still breaking, Once again it is fall. Memories once so vivid Are seeming to fade. My time spent with you Seems some other age. This season reminds me Of grief and of pain. But yet teaches hope And joy once again. For trees are still living Beneath their gray bark, And you my sweet child Are alive in my heart.

I hope that you are blessed this holiday season, and that my suggestions are helpful. Please know that the holidays get easier with time, and that you WILL make it through, even though it may seem impossible. Amy Baker Ferry TCF Heart of Florida Chapter In loving memory of my brother, David

Cinda Schake TCF, Butler, PA 3

December 2015

The Compassionate Friends, Inc. Jackson, MS Chapter Newsletter

Remembering Christmas Remembering Christmas the way it used to be When all the children went to bed early and we trimmed the tree To make it look special when they came down with a twinkle in their eye Yes those were the happiest days of all the years that have gone by.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Remembering Christmas when the children would open each gift Even though you were so tired watching them would give you a lift For each special gift they would open they would give you a kiss We knew when they grew up these are the things we would miss.

‘Twas the month before Christmas and I dreaded the days, That I knew I was facing – the holiday craze. The stores were all filled with holiday lights, In hopes of drawing customers by day and by night. As others were making their holiday plans, My heart was breaking – I couldn’t understand. I had lost my dear child a few years before, And I knew what my holidays had in store.

Remembering Christmas when all the children were small All the happiest moments we shared together we still do recall Christmas was so much fun when all the children were here Each child is so different in their own way but they all are so dear.

When out of nowhere, there arose such a sound, I sprang to my feet and was looking around. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

As the years have gone by Christmas is not the same anymore The children all get married it's not like it was before Some have children of their own and tell them what they used to do Now they give to their children what once was given to you.

The sight that I saw took my breath away, And my tears turned to smiles in the light of the day. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a cluster of butterflies fluttering near. With beauty and grace they performed a dance, I knew in a moment this wasn’t by chance.

One Christmas came and we had lost a lot of love When our Susan was taken from us and went to Heaven above Christmas will never be the same now that Susan is gone We try to have the best Christmas we can, she would want us to go on.

The hope that they gave me was a sign from above, That my child was still near me and that I was loved. The message they brought was my holiday gift, And I cried when I saw them in spite of myself.

Remembering Christmas is still what we both try to do Keeping Susan's spirit alive has helped us to get thru We try to be happy but it will never be the same So we light a candle at Christmas as we both say her name.

As I knelt closer to get a better view, One allowed me to pet it – as if it knew – That I needed the touch of its fragile wings, To help me get through the holiday scene.

Jack and Dee Heil TCF Northeast Philadelphia, PA In Memory of Susan ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

In the days that followed I carried the thought, Of the message the butterflies left in my heart, That no matter what happens or what days lie ahead, That our children are with us – they’re not really dead.

A Christmas Wish I'll miss you at Christmas When laughter's everywhere, When church bells chime In merry rhyme And warmth is in the air. I'll think of you at Christmas Of when you were with me, Of simple joys and silly toys And days that used to be. I'll miss you at Christmas When children's faces glow, And gaze in childish wonderment At Santa and presents in a row. I wish a Christmas miracle Could bring you back this way, And we could be together For one more Christmas day.

Yes, the message of the butterflies still rings in my ears, A message of hope – a message so dear. And I imagined they sang as they flew out of sight, “To all bereaved parents – We love you tonight!”

Faye McCord In loving memory of my son, Lane McCord (1/26/65 – 9/13/98) and dedicated to all bereaved parents

Lily deLauder

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December 2015

The Compassionate Friends, Inc. Jackson, MS Chapter Newsletter (Cont. from col 1)

Getting Through the Holidays

It helps to talk with other bereaved parents who are farther along in their grief about things that helped them get through the holidays and how this struggle changed over time. For instance, some of you may find comfort in going away during holidays, while others of you will find comfort in staying home. You may find using catalogs for Christmas shopping works well. During this time, don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends and neighbors with tasks like getting a tree, trimming it and wrapping gifts. Baby sitters can help with these tasks and involve the children who benefit from the physical acts of preparing for Christmas.

Bereaved parents and their children have fundamentally different ways of anticipating and getting through the holidays. These differences can lead to misunderstandings for both parents and their children which can result in additional burdens for already overwhelmed family members. By understanding these differences parents and their children can find ways to help each other as they all struggle to find their way after a child’s death. Parents, particularly in the first years following their child’s death, dread facing the holidays. Grieving consumes their energy leaving them with little available for usual, daily events and even less for the extraordinary efforts necessary to prepare for and go through the holidays. Parents see and hear reminders of upcoming events which continuously remind them how much they have lost with the death of their child. It is difficult for parents to go on with the usual “normal” family rituals like Christmas when there is so little “normalcy” in their lives.

If preparing the Christmas dinner requires too much concentration and planning, find restaurants or markets that sell cooked turkeys with all the trimmings. One phone call can relieve you from worrying needlessly about how to do it all. Some families have special candles they keep and light each year to represent the spirit of the dead child. Other families hang all of the children’s stockings to signify the child’s permanent place in the family. Children enjoy choosing a book or toy for children in hospitals, day care centers or schools as a way of bringing some happiness to others in their brother or sister’s name. I have found that bereaved children often have wonderful and original ways of remembering their sibling. Invite them to help create new traditions in the family. While it is impossible to “get back to normal” because that “normal” ended with your child’s death, it is possible and necessary to create a “new normal” that will become familiar and comforting as time goes on.

Many parents would like to simply skip the holidays. They grieve for their dead child and for the life that is permanently changed by the death. They anticipate with anxiety how they will get through the upcoming Christmas and how they will be able to provide love and support for their surviving children and for each other. They are preoccupied with how tragically their life has changed. During this time parents take little comfort in hearing that holidays will get easier with passing years or that their fears about the holidays will likely be worse than the reality of living through the events.

Nancy S. Hogan, PH. D. Nancy Hogan RN, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami School of Nursing where she teaches, conducts research and publishes on the parent and sibling bereavement process. Since the mid 1970’s she has worked with TCF parent and sibling bereavement groups. She authored the TCF tape “Impact of Grief on Marriage” in 1981, and has spoken at many national and international bereavement conferences. Dr. Hogan conducts research aimed at understanding the uniquely similar and different ways bereaved parents become survivors following a child’s death. She is inviting TCF parents to contact her for more information about a parental bereavement study she is conducting. She can be reached at University of Miami, School of Nursing, 5801 Red Road, Coral Gables, FL 305-284-1922, Fax 305-284-5686, e-mail [email protected].

In contrast to their parents, children grieve intermittently. They go through moments of intense grieving in which they miss and long for their dead sibling. These periods of grief are followed by intervals of relief. Unlike their parents, children look for tangible signs and symbols that signify that the family will survive in spite of their sibling’s death. They need evidence that their family will survive. Tangible markers such as celebrating Christmas and birthdays, and having presents to touch and hold onto are the kinds of things that help children maintain hope that their family will grow strong again. There are ways parents can plan to get through holidays and help their surviving children to be an important part of creating new family traditions. What can you do to help yourself and your family to get through the holiday season? First it is important to focus on how you can be spared from unnecessary stress, while at the same time providing your surviving children with hope for a time when your family can find meaning, purpose and periods of happiness again. You can do this by keeping some of the old traditions and by creating new ones that embrace the memory of your dead child or sibling. You need to determine what is essential to do and to eliminate unnecessary holiday rituals. For some of you this means forgoing sending cards this year. Other parents may use the act of writing a holiday letter to inform friends of their family tragedy.

Reprint policy: Proper attribution must be given to the author and We Need Not Walk Alone, the national magazine of The Compassionate Friends. Copyright 1998

A friend is one who knows you as you are… Understands where you’ve been… Accepts who you’ve become And still gently invites you to grow.

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~Author unknown

December 2015

The Compassionate Friends, Inc. Jackson, MS Chapter Newsletter OUR CHILDREN—LOVED, MISSED & REMEMBERED

“They may be deceased by a few days or years, but we still miss them so much and still shed our tears.” Birth Date 12/01 12/02 12/03 12/05 12/06 12/08 12/09 12/09 12/10 12/17 12/18 12/18 12/21 12/22 12/23 12/27

Child’s name Jason Walters Jason Davis Eric Hegwood Jason Keen Susan Michelle Ware Canoy Mike Fox, Jr. John David Gray-Lewis Germain Dawson Scott Lee Kitchens Parker Rodenbaugh Amber Smith Amber Noelle Smith Jeff Pritchett James Arnold (Arnie) Ball Keith Richardson Price Harper

Parent’s name(s) Brenda Crumbley Jackie Rutland Janice Berlin Cirie Keen Ted/Mary Joe Ware Mr. Mike Fox, Sr. Vic/Gerry Gray-Lewis Barbara Dawson Bobbie Garrett Rick/Cordie Rodenbaugh Lindsey Crutcher Sandy Boteler Paul/Rita Pritchett Mr./Mrs. Raymond Ball Donna Dubosh Alicia Harper Ball

Cause Auto accident Cancer Auto accident Clot/Lung/Pregnancy Drugs Still Birth Natural causes Suicide/Jumped Miss River Accidental overdose Homocide Auto accident Heart Defect Suicide Seizures/handicapped

Christmas Past, Christmas Present As the holidays approach, most bereaved parents feel anxiety, apprehension and some little bit of fear. The past is gone along with our beautiful children. We live in the now, the new reality, of holidays without our children. This will be my fifth Christmas without my son, Todd. It will be my fourth Christmas without his children. And yet, I find that on some small level, I am looking forward to the holiday. I imagine the Christmases of the past when Todd was growing up and after he started his family. I also imagine Christmases of the future where Todd’s children share in the traditions that their Dad so dearly loved. But that won’t happen. I have come to accept that wives and children go on with their lives. I have come to accept that my son’s children will not be a part of their father’s family, his heritage or his legacy. That is the reality. But I have also found that wonderful people can help make the holiday special. I do very little at Christmas. Some shopping….most of it on the Internet, a little in local stores. I send cash to my son’s children. I don’t know who or what they are these days, but cash is far better than something that has no significance to them. I do get pleasure in few things. I buy small toiletries for nursing home residents. I buy a gift for my dad’s sister who is now 88. I buy for my mom’s sister, my cousin, her husband and her daughter. I buy for my best friend. That’s enough buying. My husband and I decide whether we want something special for the two of us and, if so, we buy it. Otherwise, we skip the gift giving. We won’t be decorating this year, but we haven’t decorated for five years. We have changed our traditions….traditions that Todd loved so much. It is simply too painful to do this alone. We spend time with my family and a few friends. We marvel at the wonder that is Christmas for children. John and my aunt cook and my cousin, her daughter and I clean up in the big country kitchen of my cousin’s home. Gifts are exchanged. There is no Christmas tree, but the three acres in front of the house are decorated with all kinds of lights and lighted figures. Santa and his reindeer are in the front garden, close to the road. Angels, reindeer and more gather in the west pasture and front yard. The house is framed in lights. It’s quite lovely. For me that is enough. Christmas will never be what it once was, but I no longer dread the holidays as I once did. Some of my Compassionate Friends have returned to old traditions with their surviving children and maybe even with grandchildren. Each of us learns to deal with Christmas in our own way. Each year I am a different person with a new perspective on the holidays. Next year I may decide to skip it all or immerse myself in the season. My truth is ever changing. Find what is right for you. Pressures from others mean nothing. You choose whether a celebration is in order. You choose how to celebrate. You choose the old traditions or you choose some new ones…..maybe you choose nothing and decide to go with the flow of the moment. As bereaved parents, you will always remember your child at Christmas, but as the years add up and grief starts to release its grip on your soul, you may find that you can keep your child in your heart and have room for the spirit of Christmas as well. The holidays do get better. Life does get better. The days will gradually become softer and sweeter. The nights will ease into gentleness. Friendships will again have luster, and relationships will become deeper and more meaningful. That is the future for each of us. The present is driven by where we are in our grief. So for this and every Christmas Holiday season, be who you are and mark the day as you choose. May we all have serenity throughout the Holiday season and in the years ahead. Annette Mennen Baldwin /TCF, Katy, TX In memory of my son, Todd Mennen

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December 2015

The Compassionate Friends, Inc. Jackson, MS Chapter Newsletter OUR CHILDREN—LOVED, MISSED & REMEMBERED

Heaven Date

12/01 12/04 12/05 12/06 12/09 12/20 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/27 12/27 12/28 12/28 12/31

Child’s name

Parent’s name(s)

Robert Lee Hopper, Jr. Kevin Lefteroff Robert Thornton Richard Thompson John David Gray-Lewis Kim Corban Julie Jabour Abraham Matthew James Eldridge Wynn McAllister Scott Lee Kitchens James Arnold (Arnie) Ball Tyler Thompson Justin Lloyd Hartley Kurt McCurdy

Robert/Bea Hopper Marcia Lefteroff Dave/Charlotte Greer Wayne/Ramee Thompson Vic/Gerry Gray-Lewis Mickey/Pauline Corban Mr./Mrs. Freddy Abraham Debbie Eldridge Susan McAllister Bobbie Garrett Mr./Mrs. Raymond Ball Wayne/Ramee Thompson Ron/Terry Hartley Ms Christina McCurdy

Cause

Cancer Car wreck Car accident Still Birth Heart attack Gangrene Traumatic asphyxiation Auto accident Suicide/Jumped MS Heart Defect Leukemia Cardiac arrest Car accident

Candles in the Night For Candle Lighting Ceremony Candles flame in darkness, flicker, steadily glow, bringing light from shadows and help to soothe us so. Our loved ones, like the candles, gave our lives true light. We use the candles' beacons to connect us in the night. As we lit the candles, our wish and our request was that they'd see our signals and know our love's expressed. As their lights join our lights, our worlds touch and flame . . . Now we’ll blow out the candles, then softly say their names. Genesse Bourdeau Gentry from Stars in the Deepest Night – After the Death of a Child

REPLY FORM—IMPORTANT It is important for our children to be remembered. Please understand that in order for your child to be on the “special days” list, you must fill out this form, which gives us permission to list this information. I/We are (__) bereaved Parents (__) grandparents (__)siblings (__) step-parents (__) friends (__) relatives (__) professional Please (__) add (__) remove (__) keep me on the mailing list. Remember my (__) Child (__) Sibling (__) Grandchild on Special Days. Please (__) have someone call me. Name_______________________________________________________________Phone__________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________ City__________________ State______ Zip___________ E-mail address_______________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of Child_______________________________________________________________________________________________ Age when deceased______________ Cause*_____________________________________________________________________ Child’s Birthday_____________________________________ Child’s Heaven Date________________________________________ *You need not list cause of death. We ask this only so that parents whose children have died in similar ways may reach one another. Optional: Your donations are tax deductible and allow us to reach to other bereaved parents. Enclosed is $____________________ given in memory of ____________________________________________________________ I would like my contribution used to fund: Check one: ____Postage ____Children’s Memorial ____Love Gift Mail to: The Compassionate Friends; P.O. Box 1396; Jackson, Mississippi; 39215-1396

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