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The Compassionate Friends of Western Australia Inc  Bereavement Support & Information Centre City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street West Perth 6005, Western Australia telephone: (08) 9486 8711 country freecall : 1800 628 118 email: tcf.wa@eftel.net.au facsimile: (08) 9486 1299 Patron: Graham Maybury OAM | ||||||||||||||
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(from "Bereavement Magazine" October 1989, Vol 3, No. 8) | |
| There's an
elephant in the room. It is large and squatting, so it is hard to get around it. Yet we squeeze by with, "How are you?" And, "I'm fine" ... And a thousand other forms of trivial chatter. We talk about the weather. We talk about work. We talk about everything else - except the elephant in the room.
We all know it is there. We are thinking about the elephant |
For, you
see, it is a very big elephant.
It has hurt us all. But we do not talk about the elephant Oh, please, say her name. Oh, please, say "Barbara" again. Oh, please, let's talk about the elephant For if we talk about her death, Perhaps we can talk about her life? Can I say "Barbara" to you
Alone ... In a room ... |
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"A Child Lent"
by Edgar Guest
I'll lend you for a little
time
A child of Mine, He
said,
For you to love the while he
lives
And mourn when he is
dead.
It may be six or seven
years,
Or twenty-two or
three,
But will you, until 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.
I want this child to
learn.
I've looked the 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,
Not 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 this 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,
Will ever grateful
stay.
But should the angels call for
him,
Much sooner than
we'planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that
comes,
... and try and understand. It's an exclusive club That no one wants
to join But it's
membership is rising And will from
dawn to dawn. What is this
organisation That no one wants
to know? What skills do
you need to be a member? What causes it to
grow? You don't need a
special talent Or to be a
special breed. It's growing in
the community Because of it's special
need. It serves a valued
purpose And on it we
depend. There's only one
thing goes against it That's the rule
they cannot bend. The price to be a
member The cost is far
too high For the price of
a membership ticket A precious child
must die Todd
Andrew Adams, 10 years
"Compassionate Friends"
by Joan
Adams
b 30.3.1972 d
17.6.1982
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"If Tears Could"
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"Forever Changed" |
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"Together
We'll Walk the Stepping Stones" |
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Come, take my hand,
the road is long. We have many stones to cross, some are bigger than
others, Shock, denial and anger to
start. Then comes guilt, despair and
loneliness. It's a hard road to travel, but it must be
done. It's the only way, to reach the other
side. Come, slip your hand in
mine. What? Oh, yes it's strong, I've held so many hands like
yours. Yes, mine was one time small and weak like
yours. Once, you see, I had to take someone's hand in order to take
the first step. Oops! You've
stumbled, go ahead and cry. Don't be ashamed, I
understand Let's wait her awhile and get your
breath. When you're stronger we'll go on, one step at a
time, There's no need to
hurry. Say, its nice to hear you laugh. Yes. I
agree, The memories you shared are
good. Look, we're half way there now, I can see the other
side It looks to warm and
sunny. Oh, have you noticed, we're nearing the last stone and
you're standing alone. And look, your hand, you've let go of
mine, We've reached the other
side. But wait, look back, someone is standing
there, They are alone and want to cross the stepping
stones. I'd better go, they need my
help. What? Are you
sure? Why yes, go ahead I'll wait for you, you know the way,
you've been there. Yes, I agree, it's your turn my friend
… To help someone else cross the stepping
stones. May God Be With
You Your Friend, Barb Williams |
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