THE CHILD💛THAT’S NOT THERE
The child that’s not there
Takes up every piece of me
The child that’s not there
Consumes my every thought
The child that’s not there
Makes me feel like I failed
The child that’s not there
Took away a main reason for being
But
The children that are there
Still somehow bring me joy
The children that are there
Still need my love
The children that are there
Don’t need any more grief
The children that are there
Force me to go on.
 
Tricia Palmer
In memory of my son, Gabriel Boyer
TCF, Tidewater, VA
 
 
 TIME DOES NOT REALLY HEAL A BROKEN HEART
IT ONLY TEACHES A PERSON 
TO LIVE WITH IT 
 
 
 
In Loving Memory
 
In spirit alike and with homage enduring, we came
Honoring love and remembrance in our child's name
 
Closely together in tender communion we stand
Holding each other's heart in a tremulous hand.
Children surround us that nobody's eye can see,
 Children whose blessings bring solace to you and me.
 
Starting alone in the memory of heartbreaking fears,
Let us now share our sorrow and ease our tears.
 
In loving devotion let hope and fine courage arise,
Bestowed in the spirit of children beyond our eyes.
Until, in spite of the hurt from unbearable loss, we find
The treasure of friendship here and new peace of mind.
 
 
Sascha Wagner 
Written for the Fourth National Conference of The Compassionate Friends
In Loving Memory, May 1999 
 
 
 
 
 
 

And if I go, while you’re still here …

know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure 
behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when
we can soar together again,
both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest
and when you need me,
just whisper my name in your heart,

… I will be there. 

Emily Dickinson
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remember Me
 
Remember me in quiet days
When raindrops whisper on your pane,
But your memories have not grief
Let just the joy we know remain.
Remember me when evening stars
Look down on you with steadfast eyes ;
And when your thoughts do turn to me,
Know that I would not have you cry.
 
But live for me and laugh for  --
When you are happy, so am I.
 Remember an old joke we shared;
Remember me when spring walks by;
Think of me when you are glad,
And while you live,
I shall not die.
 
Lyn Bryant, Sibling TCF, Baytown, TX 
 
 
 
If we choose to
Move forward
Acknowledging
The sorrow and sadness
But also the love and laughter
Then hope travels with us
 
www.thegrieftoolbox.com
 
 
 
 
IS IT EASING?
 
I heard your name today and my heart did not skip a beat,
nor was my mind flooded with the emotion of losing you.
I heard your name today
and it did not bring back the terrible hurt feelings
of when you first left me.
I heard your name today with a calmness that surprised me.
Many another child carries your name,
and it had been torture hearing it
and seeing the smiling faces on those little girls.
But today I knew–I found out–what others in my footsteps found out and tried to tell me.
The hurt will ease; but the memories, the love, the good times will never go away.
 
Phoebe C. Redman
TCF Bradenton, FL
 
 
 
 
You are near, even if I don’t see you.
You are with me, even if you are far away.
You are in my heart, in my thoughts, in my life, ALWAYS.
~author unknown
 
 
 
Don’t tell me to get over it,
Don’t tell me to be strong,
Don’t tell me time’s a healer,
Don’t tell me to move on,
I need my time to grieve,
I need my time alone,
No one else can rush me,
I need to do this on my own,
Yes, it may take a while,
Yes, it may take years,
Yes, I may shout and scream,
And cry so many tears,
But only when I am ready,
Not because you tell me so,
For when the time is right,
I will be the one to know.
~ John F Connor