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WALKING THIS VALLEY- Tucson Chapter Vol. 35 No.4 Sept. –Oct., 2017

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: IN OCTOBER, THE TUCSON CHAPTER OF THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS WILL BE CHANGING OUR MEETING LOCATION. WE HAVE BEEN AT CATALINA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOR SEVERAL DECADES BUT, DUE TO INCREASES IN RENT AND A GENEROUS OFFER FROM ANOTHER CHURCH, WE WILL BE MOVING OUR MEETINGS TO CHRIST CHURCH UNITED METHODIST AT 655 N. CRAYCROFT.

Bereaved Parents Different ages

Different stages Different issues Same pain Daily strain Occasional tissues Our children have died

Often is all we know A fact we fear to hide Despite our ever-present woe We live with pride Though broken-hearted To love, remember, and grow

Victor Montemurro TCF Medford, NY

Tucson Chapter

P.O. Box 30733

Tucson, AZ 85751-0733

(520) 721-8042

www.tucsontcf.org

National Headquarters

P.O. Box 3696

Oak Brook, IL 60522

Toll free (877) 969-0010

www.compassionatefriends.org

We’re sorry for the reason you’re here, but we’re glad you’ve found us. –Tucson TCF

Tucson Chapter Meetings: Catalina United Methodist Church 2700 E. Speedway Blvd, H-232

Second and Fourth Wednesdays 7:00pm-9:00pm

September 13, 27 October 11, 25 (Our Chapter Candle lighting) November 8, 22

Welcome!

All bereaved parents, grandparents, and adult siblings are welcome at our support group meetings.

Here you will find comfort, caring people, and most of all-HOPE. Coming to the first meeting is

hard but, you have nothing to lose and much to gain. For many it is the first real step toward

healing. Although it may seem overwhelming, we encourage you to come to several meetings to

give yourself a chance to become comfortable. The hope of The Compassionate Friends is that

those who need us would find us and that those that find us would be helped. TCF also provides

information to help members be supportive to each other.

We are not professional counselors. We are bereaved families who want to help each other.

Please join us as we heal.

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Past Events: At the end of July The Compassionate Friends held their annual

conference in Orlando, Florida. Sharon and Kristi Farrell, Kenny and Diane

Allison attended. They were able to enjoy a reunion with Stephanie and Alexis

Bertsch. They even met a new friend, Debra from Florida, and had lunch together.

The workshops were

helpful though many

were quite crowded.

The one on PTSD was

led by an energetic

presenter who was

quite open in sharing

her views on people

who are “without a

clue”. She also shared

information about two

apps you can use to

photo shop in a photo

of your child into a

picture you take today

(IMIKIMI and Master Photo Blender). The candle lighting was twice as touching as

in previous years (ask for details). The next conference will be in St. Louis,

Missouri July 27-29, 2018.

Online Support: The Compassionate Friends offers an online support community. There are

general and specific bereavement sessions. Go to www.compassionatefriends.org and click on

resources.

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September Birthdays

MICHAEL STEPHEN ACOSTA PALINA ALDECOA MIKE BALL

MICHEAL AUSTIN ANDERSON TOM BATES ANITA BECERRA

BRANDIE CAMPBELL MARTY BEDELL ALEAH CRUCE

SEAN KELLY CATAUDELLA MAVERICK CAMPISI JACOB EISNER

GEORGIA COLEHOUR MATTHEW DODGE LISA GATZ

ANTHONY JESUS DURON STEFAN ENRIQUEZ RYAN HORN

MAKAYLA SOPHIA GUNDERSON JEFFREY HILL JR. REBECCA KATZ

MCKENZIE HARRISON DANIEL HUGHES JOE KEELING

JAYANNA LYNN JUAN ANGEL LEON ZACH MORGAN

MATTHEW KAUFMAN RICHARD MORGAN AARON NICHOLS

ZEMIRA BAYLA LENC BEN-DAVID PFLUG ADAM REICHEG

CHRISTOPHER MUELLER KRYSTAL SUE MAEDL SEAN SEGALL

REYNALDO PARADA CLINT SMITH AMY SVOBODA

MICHAEL SCHNEIDER MARLA THYE C WARNER

CHRISTIAN WATSON RICK WILLIAMS DUSTIN YODER

EDITH LAURAINE WHITSETT CHRISTOPHER FRANKLIN RICHTER

September Remembrance Days

DAVID ARAOS MARK BATES

KEVIN BOOS JOHN CARSTENS

LISA GATZ MATTHEW DODGE

CRAIG HAUGE JESSE GELSINGER

RYAN KITTREDGE PETER KJOLSRUD

DENNY MALLORY TRENT MAPELSDEN

GIDEON MCDONALD BRYAN MCLAUGHLIN

DAMIEN MELZER RICHARD MORGAN

DAVID RADTKE JEFFREY SEWELL MICHEAL P SHEATS

CURTIS LEE EHLERS REBECCA SIEGEL LORI L. SMITH

RAUL (BUDDY) GARCIA MCKENZIE HARRISON MELISSA HEYMERS

MERCER JOHNSON III JAYANNA LYNN JUAN DELLVON WATSON

JUSTIN ZEHNGUT PRESTON WERNER WENDY WHITACRE

JONATHAN D WILLIAMS NATHAN SPANGENBERG

SABRINA KINSLEIGH WILLIAMS RICHARD NICHOLAS UMBERGER

KEVIN ROBINSON-BARAJAS JESSICA ROSE RUSSELL

PETER JAMES "PJ" FARRELL KETZIA AMAIRANY FLORES

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Fundraising: On Monday, September 25 we will be having a fundraiser at

Sauce on Broadway and Rosemont. Look for the flier on our website and on

Facebook or just mention you are there for the Tucson Chapter of The

Compassionate Friends

15% of sales from 11am-9pm are donated to the charity

Guests dining at the restaurant for the benefit day must mention the organization or show a flier in order to have the % applied to their bill

Jim Click Raffle: Win one of THREE great prizes! Grand Prize: 2017 Ford Explorer

Platinum 2nd Prize: Two round-trip, first-

class airline tickets to anywhere in the world!*

3rd Prize: $5,000 cash! Check Millions for

Tucson for more information. Any money

brought in stays with the Tucson Chapter of TCF.

Last year we made $3000 on this opportunity.

Donations: Love Gifts support all costs for our organization from room rental (currently covered through a grant) and storage rental to printing programs for events and even ink

for newsletters. Many give through their employer to the ECAP program. We thank and appreciate all those who donate whether in the name of their own child or in memory and support of family or friends.

Angels Among Us

Our Angels are among us We see them everyday In all the forms that God created... They are with us along life’s way. We see them in the sunrise, That brightens and warms our soul. We feel them in the summer breeze That chases away our cold. They are there among the flowers... Their sweet scent a memory of love. They soar with the eagles, As they fly so high above. The night will find them in the stars, Lighting our path below. And even in our dreams, Their presence we’ll still know. As the snow melts with the sun, And spring flowers peek through their beds, They come on the wings of butterflies, And flutter about our heads. They are telling us they are with us, And will be forever more... Until it’s time for us to meet again, As we pass through heaven’s door.

Jacquelyn M. Comeaux Copyright 2001 Reprinted by permission of author

Photo buttons are now made at meetings. Bring your child’s photo printed on plain paper (button is 3” round) and ask anyone with a ribbon on their nametag for assistance.

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Future Events:

Fundraiser at Sauce on September 25.

Our Chapter Candle lighting will be on October

25, 2017 at Christ Church United Methodist at 655 N.

Craycroft. Come early as our event will start promptly

at 7pm. Bring a picture of your child and/or memento to display as

well as a finger food to share. All bereaved families and friends are

welcome.

The Compassionate Friends National Day of Remembrance and

Candle Lighting will be on December 10 at 7pm at the Children’s

Memorial Park off River. Please come early and dress warmly.

C.S. Lewis, Irish author, literary critic and poet

"Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything."

Like the Tucson Chapter on Facebook: The Compassionate Friends-Tucson

ID PINS: Kevin Trapp makes our ID Pins. Send him an email at kjtrapp2001@yahoo.com with the photo you want attached. Include the first and last name of the parent and the name and age of the child. These name tags are at no charge.

COOKIES Fellowship is an important part of every meeting. Please sign up to bring a snack

to share. This can be on a Birthday or Remembrance Day or anytime

throughout the year. Thanks so much.

Unless expressly stated, the views expressed in articles,

poetry, etc. in Walking This Valley are not necessarily the

views of The Compassionate Friends, The Chapter Steering

Committee or the Editorial Team. The Editor reserves the

right to edit any contributions.

OTHER TUCSON SUPPORT GROUPS

Information & Referral Services…..800-352-3792

Homicide Survivors, Inc…..520-740-5729

FOOTPRINTS-Pregnancy and Infant loss….520-873-6590

Tu Nidito/Children to Children…..520-322-9155

Alive Alone http://www.alivealone.org/ -for parent(s) who have lost their only child

MISS FOUNDATION http://www.missfoundation.org/

Soulistic Hospice Grief and Recovery Group: Annise Miller 520-820-6610

Survivors of Suicide……. 520-989-0467

Contact: hotline (520) 721-8042 or visit our website at www.tucsontcf.org

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October Birthdays

AARON THOMAS ATHERTON JENNIFER BAIN NANCY BATES DIETZ

JONATHAN BECK MADISYN BERTSCH KELLI BONN

JOHN BREMOND SELENA BURNEY JOHN PATRICK CLINE

KATIE DECKER JOY FEULING ERB ASHLEY FRANCO

JOHN GEHLEN PAUL GOGUEN JOSHUA GREEN

DREW GYORKE SHANE HARVEY RYAN KITTREDGE

MARTHA HARRINGTON AMY LOGAN GAGE LA FONTAINE

WRIGHT SAMUEL JOHNSON DENNY MALLORY TRENT MAPELSDEN

JACQUES MARGODT ANGEL MARTINEZ GIDEON MCDONALD

PAUL METZGER JODI MONWAND BRANDEN PEASE

KAREN PRICE PAUL ROBOLD BRODIE SCHMICH

ERIC SCHULTZ MATTHEW SCOTT KRISTIN SMITH

BETH STERN KENNETH WALTER RON WHEELER

WENDY WHITACRE KEVIN ROBINSON-BARAJAS

October Remembrance Days

MATTHEW ALTLAND TIM GOAR

OSWALDO BAKER JONATHAN BECK

RENEE BLANCHARD JOHN BREMOND

TRUDIE CALE MONIQUE CELIA

HAVEN CROSS RICK WILLIAMS

JOY FEULING ERB JASMIN GAXIOLA

ROGER PAUL EAGLE JONATHAN ZINSLI C WARNER

PAUL GOGUEN LEAH GOODMAN JOSHUA GREEN

RICKY HAMRICK JOSHUA HOLDEN MEGHAN JONES

SABRINA JOY DAVID KETTUNEN KEITH KRAGE

JOSE EDY LEYVA ANGEL MARTINEZ SCOTT MULLEN

ERIC OGDEN FERNANDO ORTIZ, III TIMOTHY PARFREY

GRANT J. PIONTEK KAREN PRICE DOUGIE SALSBURY

ROCKY STEWART MICHAEL TWOHILL PHILIP WORKMAN

MARTIN VALENZUELA LINDSAY WAKEFIELD CLIFFORD WALTEIN

CHRISTOPHER MUELLER MATTHEW UNTERRINER

BRADLEY CHARLES MAPLES JAMESON GILES PERSONIUS

EDWARD VINCENT ANDREW RAMOS DANIELLE WELLS-BORQUEZ

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TCF National Organization on Facebook Please visit and help promote The Compassionate Friends National Organization’s Facebook

page by becoming a fan. Click on the Facebook icon from TCF’s national website home page at

www.compassionatefriends.org. Or, you can find it by going to: www.facebook.com/TCFUSA.

We want this to be both an informative and supportive place for those of us who are mourning

the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild. All are welcome to leave messages and talk about

their child and their grief. As in our meetings, we especially appreciate shared insights about

anything that has brought you comfort, hope, or some measure of peace.

In addition to the social support aspect, The Compassionate Friends/USA Facebook page has

posts about upcoming events Please visit often and contribute to the conversation.

TCF is also now on Twitter. Search for TCFofUSA. These social media initiatives are important

to help TCF increase public awareness about our organization and better enable us to fulfill our

mission to help bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents.

For more information, please call TCF’s National Office at 877-969-0010 or e-mail

sara@compassionatefriends.org.

The Compassionate Friends Credo: We need not walk alone. We are The Compassionate

Friends. We reach out to each other with love, with understanding, and with hope. The children we mourn have died at all ages and from many different causes, but our love for them unites us. Your pain becomes my pain, just as your hope becomes my hope. We come together from all walks of life, from many different circumstances. We are a unique family because we represent many races, creeds, and relationships. We are young, and we are old. Some of us are far along in our grief, but others still feel a grief so fresh and so intensely painful that they feel helpless and see no hope. Some of us have found our faith to be a source of strength, while some of us are struggling to find answers. Some of us are angry, filled with guilt or in deep depression, while others radiate an inner peace. But whatever pain we bring to this gathering of The Compassionate Friends, it is pain we will share, just as we share with each other our love for the children who have died. We are all seeking and struggling to build a future for ourselves, but we are committed to building a future together. We reach out to each other in love to share the pain as well as the joy, share the anger as well as the peace, share the faith as well as the doubts, and help each other to grieve as well as to grow. We Need Not Walk Alone. We Are The Compassionate Friends.

Chapter Steering Committee

Leader: Melissa Chico Co Leaders: Cat Morrow/Stella Salazar

Editor: Diane Allison Contributing Editors: All members

Outreach/ Correspondence: Estella Salazar

Facebook: Melissa Chico, Cat Morrow Website: Julie Shulick

New Attendee Coordinator: Cat Morrow Library: Debbie Russell

Treasurer: Erin Chico Co Treasurer: Sharon Farrell

Facilitators: Cindy Walter, Melissa Chico, Tara Chico, Carolyn Manka, Kim

Teschner

Regional Coordinators

Barb & Gene Caligari, Chandler, AZ; Denise Dean

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A National self-help, non-profit organization for families who have

experienced the death of a child

THE TUCSON CHAPTER

P.O. 30733

Tucson, AZ 85751-0733

Return Service Requested

Nicholas Evans, English

journalist and author

"Listen for my footfall in your

heart.

I am not gone but merely walk

within you."

September-October 2017

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

Paid

Tucson, AZ

Permit No. 2296