The Compassionate Friends
                 "We need not walk alone ... we are The Compassionate Friends" 

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Poetry (scroll down)

Come, take my hand, the road is long.
We must travel by stepping stones.
No, you're not alone, I'll go with you.
I know the road well, I've been there.
Don't fear the darkness, I'll be with you.
We must take one step at a time.
But remember we may have to stop awhile.
It is a long way to the other side
And there are many obstacles.

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 â€Ã‚¦
To help someone else cross the stepping stones.

May God Be With You, Your Friend, Barb Williams   

 "The Elephant in the Room" by Terry Kettering
(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.

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.

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.

"If Tears Could"
Author Unknown

If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to heaven
To bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken.
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.

My heart still aches in sadness
And secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know

 "Newsletters and a Tear"
by Jeff Johnson

One cries as he is writing his feelings
Another cries when they select an article
Another cries when they type the article
Another cries when they read the article in the newsletter
Tears of sorrow and understanding,
You are not alone.

"Compassionate Friends"
by Joan Adams (c) Dampier, Western Australia

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
b 30.3.1972  d 17.6.1982