Ph. 503-248-0102 Portland, Oregon Portland All Are Welcome .

In Loving Memory ofANDREW CLARKDearest Andrew, everyday you are in our heartsand thoughts. We feel you often and know thatyou are with us and helping with our journey. Wealso realize that in the future we will be reunited again. We love you dearly and miss youlots! ATTENTION It is once again timeto update our member database.In a few days you will receive ourmailing asking for your updatedinformation. Please complete thisform to keep receiving the newsletter and other TCF updates. Youhave the opportunity to completea love note to include with yourinformation.In Loving Memory ofMICHAEL EDWARDGraduation TimeHow can it be that you are no longer here in ourlives, in our home, in my arms ? Still feelssurreal at times, yet I have had long enough toknow better. I long for you to hang with yourbrothers, laugh with your dad, or sit at the islandwhere you and I shared many a conversation.God bless you my first born, hope I see you soon,in a dream or somehow. I am forever your Mom, and the love continues to flow. No way to stop it.It’s June and graduation time again.Your child would have been amongthose wearing the cap and gown,walking down the aisle to the everstirring “Pomp and Circumstance”.Now there will be a vacant spot inthe line. Should you attend? Canyou stand the pain? Will peoplethink you’re strange?Love until eternity, MomAnother Mother’s Day!But a different one this year.For you see, I am a mother, but my child is not here.I am a mother who is hurting for this child who wasso dear, as I face this and other occasions,each & every year.I am a mother who feels an emptiness over & overagain, because I miss THIS child and all that couldhave been.I am a mother who cared as I watched my child grow,and truly loved her more than anyone will know.I am a mother who has memories and many tears to cryover regrets I’ll have to live with until the day I die.I am a mother who is thankful for the miracle of birth andall my child taught me about life and my own self-worth.I just can’t stop being a mother just because my child isn’there, because the love we had for each other will continuefor years to come.And so.On this special Mother’s Day, I will feel withinmy heart, all the pride, love, and joy which are parts that make me whoI am, and what I’ll always be—A MOTHER—just remember that,MAY—JUNE 2018As always, you must follow yourheart. So, go if you’d like to, anddon’t hide your tears. It’s quite allright to miss your own child whilecelebrating theachievements ofothers.Just remember thatyour own instinctsare the most important ones; that no one else canmake this decision for you, and thatit doesn’t really matter what otherpeople think of you.It was your child that died. This isyour pain, and you have the right tofeel it and deal with it in your ownway—and may a bit more healingPage 7

What Makes a DadFor more retreat information contact Seattle King County TCF Chapter,OUR DAY A VERY SPECIAL DAYGod took the strength of a mountain,The majesty of a tree,The warmth of a summer sun,The calm of a quiet sea,The generous soul of nature,The comforting arm of night,The wisdom of the ages,The power of the eagle’s flight,The joy of a morning in spring,The faith of a mustard seed,The patience of eternity,The depth of a family need,Then God combined these qualities,Our day a very special day.A day that is set aside especiallyto honor all mothers.MOTHER a beautifulword. What other word couldyou use to best describe givingbirth to, nursing, loving and caring for a tiny, helplesshuman being, a gift of life to treasure? Butweren’t we taught that once you gave a gift tosomeone, you should never take it back? Whatwent wrong? Mine was taken away from me. Doesthat mean that I wasn’t worthy to be a mother, thatI was failing, that I didn’t appreciate the gift? Thegift was too precious to be given for keeps. It wasonly loaned to me for a short while. Even in my sorrow, I feel special, for I know the true meaning ofthe word, MOTHER.I have reached the ultimate, from the joy ofbirth to the sorrow of death. I belong to a specialgroup who truly knows the meaning of the word,MOTHER.Would I have not accepted the gift if I hadknown the terrible loss I would feel by having ittaken away from me? NO, I would still hold out myhands and accept such a precious gift, for to loveand to cherish, even for a short while, is worthevery tear.Page 8DADS CRY TOO I MISS YOUI miss your morning instant messages.I miss the slippers that you always gaveme for Christmas;Well maybe not the slippers as much asknowing that you always thought of meand loved me, too.Whenever I needed another pair ofhands, you were always there.I miss working with you and watchingyou dance and even arguing with youabout what songs we should play.I miss your turning to me for help or toask some question that you could easilyhave found out the answer, but youwanted me to feel needed.I miss the way that you teased me andcalled me silly nicknames, and how youlovingly picked on me.I miss your laugh andyour smile and how youloved me as if my bodyhad helped to makeyou.I miss you, my daughter,and love you more.THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS

OTHERSUPPORT GROUPS:SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORTwww.sbsnw.orgNE Portland. 3rd Mon @ 7-9 pmGeorgina Eggleston, (503) 309-3966Peace House, 2116 NE 18th StreetPortland OR 97212Tuesday, July 17th @ 7:00 pm.Johnson Creek ParkSE 21st & Clatsop, PortlandPlease join us as we gather together for the 3rd annualFlower Float event . . . A time to remember our childrengone too soon and bring attention to their lives we shared.What a beautiful sight .dozens of flowers floating peacefully down the riveras we reflect on the love we have for our children.TCF will provide the flower blossoms for your angelbut feel free to bring your own flower blossomsif you choose. A short service of reflection will be held while releasing flowers.This event is on the regular Tuesday evening meeting.Bottled water will be provided.Feel free to bring finger desserts/snacks to share if you wish.(Perhaps your angel’s favorite snack!)The Significance of Mother’s DayI don’t think I really appreciated the significance ofMother’s Day until I myself became one. My life wouldnever be the same and the death of my only child didnot alter the fact that I am still a mother. I still havethe intense feeling of love for my child, a love greaterthan any I had known before. So as Mother’s Dayapproaches, a day on which we recognize the love andpride of motherhood, I too want to be remembered as amother. Ginny Smith, TCF, Charlottesville, VAMAY—JUNE 2018SW Portland. 1st & 3rd Thu @ 6-8 pmLeslie Storm, Facilitator 503-915-8998, lesliejstorm@gmail.comWest Hills Friends Church—7425 SW 52nd , Portland 97219Gresham.1st Thu @ 7-9 pmJaime Torres, Facilitator 503-303-7289St. Henry’s Church School Building(west side of parking lot)346 NW First St., Gresham OR 97030Hillsboro 2nd Thursday, 6:30—8 pm.Dougy Center/Linkletter Commons230 NE 2nd, Ste. E, Hillsboro, OR 97124Nickole Skovly, Facilitator, 503-453-7372Milwaukie 2nd & 4th Sun 2-4 pmClackamas County NAMI Office10202 SE 32nd Ave Ste 501, Milwaukie, OR 97222Andrea Campbell, Facilitator 503-774-4612Bend Call Debbie Taylor (541) 390-4992Redmond Call Herb Baker 503-708-3047St. Helens Call Ann McKinney 503-369-1549Salem Call Bruce Carson (503) 851-0861BRIEF ENCOUNTERSPh. 503-699-8006Spanish (503) 972-3376Peace House, 2116 NE 18th St.Portland .2nd Mon 7 pmBeaverton .4th Thu 7 pmVancouver .2nd Thu 7 pmwww.briefencounters.orgSupport groups for parents who have experienced infantor pregnancy loss or who are considering or experiencinga subsequent pregnancy/adoption.PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDRENPh. 503-761-1304 or 503-656-8039Peace House, 2116 NE 18th AvePortland 1st Mon @ 7 pmwww.pomc.com/portlandSIDS Resources of Oregon4035 NE Sandy Blvd Suite 209PortlandPh. 503-287-8265, www.teleport.comMe, Too & CompanyChildren, parents, whole familiesPh. 503-228-2104www.oregonhospice.orgSupports children and families who have experienced the deathof a family member or friend.The Dougy CenterPh. 503-775-5683, www.dougy.org3909 SE 52nd Ave., Portland, OR 97206Provides safe place for children, teens, young adults& their families who are grieving a death.Stepping StonesPh. 360-696-5120SW Washington Medical Center, Vancouver, WASupport groups specialize in helping children with their grief.Page 9

AREAPHOTOGRAPHSWe collect photos of our angelsto frame and display on a photoboard at our meetings. If youwould like your child’s photo tobe posted, please bring apicture to the nextmeeting, email or mailyour photo.The Dougy Center has a new resource for grievingfamilies! A podcast, Dear Dougy, has over 30 episodescovering a range of topics related to grief and loss.register our Rewards Cardevery year to continuedonating through yourpurchases.PLEASE . ——— Take the time to registeryour Rewards Card to continue donating to our localTCF.Thank you—you are a veryimportant reason thisfundraising is so successPage 10TCF McMinnville Chapterrkh.sharingwithu1@frontier.comComfort Inn Conference Rm.2520 SE Stratus Ave.McMinnville, OR 97128-88711st Thursday @ 7:00 pmPh. 503-324-2504 (Phyllis)Elsie Stuhr Center5550 SW Hall Blvd. (Oak Room)Beaverton, OR 970052nd Tuesday @ 6:30 pmTCF Salem ChapterTune in to hear ideas for supporting children, teens and yourself.Each 20-minute Dear Dougy episode offers tips from The Dougy Center staff members along with insights from people like you who aregrieving the loss of parents, siblings, partners and children.Fred Meyer RewardsProgram requires us toPh. 503-655-6846 (Barb)Providence Willamette Falls Hospital1500 Division St. (Conf. Room 6)Oregon City, OR 970454th Tuesday @ 7:00 pmTCF Washington County ChapterProduced by the staff of The DougyCenter in Portland, Oregon, the Dear Dougy podcast isa mostly ‘question & answer’ conversation, and occasionally includes other visitors in the field of dying,death, and bereavement.Listen in at dougy.org ORTCF Clackamas County ChapterPh. 503-743-3930Salem Hospital, Bldg. D939 Oak St. SE (1st floor meeting rm.)Salem, OR 97301-3901salemtcf.org3rd Tuesday @ 6:30 pmGreat Way forFamilies &Friendsto Support Go to www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards From the top menu select: Reward —— Community RewardsClick “LINK YOUR CARD HERE”Enter #80708Sign up online (even if you already have a card, you must create an online account)You will immediately receive an email to confirm your account (check your Spam or Junk Mail!)Sign up using your email address and passwordBe sure to click the bubble! The Compassionate Friends P.O. Box 3065Portland 80708 39.01TCF Portland earnedduring the 4th quarter, 2017!2017 YTD 206.29 2016 364.46 2015 469.46 Thank you for participating& enjoy shopping! THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS

If it’s your child’s birthday month, weinvite you to come to our monthly meeting andshare their story! (Even if you don’t come to meetings regularly, we would love to meet you andhonor your child.)Birthdays hold treasured memories and areespecially difficult for surviving parents and siblings; TCF offers a wonderful venue to honor andcelebrate the precious life-story of your loved one.Taking a few minutes to share a picture, memento, award or even their favorite toy is a gentlereminder to all that love continues and grows witheach passing year. A special Birthday Table isavailable to display your pictures and specialkeepsakes. If you wish, you mayalso bring in your child’s favoritesnack to share.or even a birthdaycake!May the beautyof summersurroundyou,be a sourceof comfortand healing.May theseaffirmationsremind youof the joythat yourloved onebrought intoyour life—a gift thatis yours forever.MAY—JUNE 2018Have you ever seen a dog who has lost one of hislegs? Most of us have, but at the point where thesweet thing has adapted and is out walking. Theother day I heard someone tell of one of thoseunique but traumatic events. This family pet rantoo close to some sort of large scale mower. Theowner then described the fear, the howling, theblood and despair that ensued, as the machinerysliced off his limb. Along with the dreaded question. Can this dog survive? They rushed this precious animal to the vet, and were told if stepswere taken, the dog could eventually adapt and resume the ability to walk. Are you with me? A traumatic blow sliced off a part of us, a part of ourA Father’s GriefIn silent disbeliefI read those granite wordsThat tell a soldier’s taleAnd how valiantly he served.Soldier BraveWe salute and honor you.Soldier brave, days too few.You did not die in vain.We remember you, tears likerain.The ultimate gift you gave.Your life for our liberty,Soldier brave.We send our gratefulness andlove to you, in Heaven above. Vickie Smith, TCF\In honor of those who have died protecting us and aspecial peace and strength to their grieving families.Monuments to freedomStanding straight and tallThey represent men willingTo sacrifice it all.I stand as tears fill my eyesAnd pain chokes out my heartSo proud that you were willingTo go and do your part.And though I do have prideIn the battles that you wonIt gives me little comfortFor I have lost my son.Rest peacefully, my sonYour battles now are through.Look down on me fromHeavenAnd remember I love you.Page 11

The Compassionate FriendsPortland ChapterP.O. Box 3065Portland, OR 97208-3065NONPROFITORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGEPAIDPERMIT 1234PORTLAND ORRETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDMAY—JUNE 2018It doesn’t get easier, you just keep getting stronger. NecoleStephens.comIf you wish to make a tax-deductible LOVE GIFT donation, fill in the information below, send with a check for any amount toPortland TCF , PO Box 3065 Portland, OR 97208-0102OR, you may submit your love gift and photo online at http://www.portlandtcf.orgMonth you would like it printed in newsletter:YESAnonymous? NODonation Amount:Child’s Name:Date of Birth: / /Date of Death: / /Your name:Telephone:Address:City:State:Email:Zip:Please make your check payable to TCF Portland or charge: VISAMaster CardName as it appears on the card:CVC#AMEX(on back of card)Special Message (please include how you would like your message to be signed:Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our Portland TCF!

waterworthbev@gmail.comCard and scan it every time Sat. Subgroup Leaders Jeff Littman & Peggy Smith 503-284-2725 jwlittman@comcast.net Wed. Subgroup Leaderstion from Fred Meyer. Debbie Sack (503) 997-9829 debbiecsack@gmail.com Connie Miller (503) 801-4743 indygirl20000@gmail.com Treas