You Are Braver
You are braver than you will ever know. You may not realize it but you are valiant, magnificent and strong in spirit. You are courageous. You have endured and somehow survived the most horrific injury that anyone in this life can suffer. Your child has died. But somehow you have miraculously found the strength to still breathe in and out. And after a while, you managed to put one foot in front of the other and have tried to the best of your ability to adapt to a strange new world; one that exists without your precious child in it. A world you must step out in to and face every day without any outward signs that you are altered for life. If you were to wear your most grievous wound displayed on the outside of your body like permanent stigmata, would people recoil from the sight or would they perhaps offer compassion and understanding for your piteous condition? That’s why you are so brave. Although no one else can see how horribly injured you are, you are still doing your best to function and participate in this life. I want to challenge you to be brave just once more. If you have not been to a Compassionate Friends meeting, please muster all of the strength and courage you have and walk in the door for that first meeting. We’ll help you from there. We care. We understand. We too have the same wounds as you. We need not walk alone. Janet G. Reyes TCF Alamo Area Chapter, TX
Waiting for Answers
Years ago I left my first meeting of The Compassionate Friends and drove home in tears. My son, Max, had died a few short weeks before and I had been anxiously awaiting this evening. These people must have some answers, I thought. With paper and pen in purse, I was ready to take notes and do as they prescribed. I would do anything to ease the ache in my soul.
But when I walked out into the spring, air later that night, I felt betrayed. I hadn’t heard any answers. Instead of learning how to leave my grief behind, it had been confirmed, made more real with expression. I knew I would miss Max forever. Now I wondered if I would grieve forever. Would it always be this way, a flash of pain aligned with every memory?
During the next months and years, I attended TCF meetings and conferences, read books, raged, kept busy, sometimes spent the day in bed. I wrote, cried and talked about Max. Slowly, I discovered the answers I had long feared were true: yes, I will grieve forever, and yes, my memories will often provoke tears. But something had changed.
My grief was now more forgiving, my tears almost sweet with memory. Max’s life took shape again as the anguish of his death began to recede. If I would always miss him, I would also always have him with me in so many ways. I wanted to carry his memory into the future: the joy, the lessons, and the inevitable pain. How could I do otherwise?
As I walked to my car after that first meeting, the TCF chapter leader caught up with me. “How can I stop this pain?” I asked. She put her arm on my shoulder. “Just do what feels right to you,” she said, “Listen to your heart. And we’ll be here to listen, too.”
Sometimes the best advice is none at all.
Mary Clark In memory of Max TCF, Sugar Land-SW Houston Chapter, TX
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lights Of Love & Remembrance
The holiday tree of love & remembrance was lit on Sunday, Dec. 11. Sponsored by the Tri-County of The Compassionate Friends, this tree is located in the Clear Lake Main Street Park. White bulbs are given in memory of loved ones who are dearly missed during this time of year & the blue bulbs are given to honor those special people in our lives. This tree will remain lit during the holiday season. The Tri-County Chapter of TCF wishes to thank all who donated to this tree.
White Bulbs
In memory of
Given by
Travis Anderson
Carol Anderson
Allen & Brenda Anderson
Nick Roberts
Matt Roberts
Dennis Blanchard
Amy Benson
Roger & Diane Blanchard
Alyssa Mae Jilek
Todd, Andrea & Dan Jilek
Roger & Diane Blanchard
Brian & Kathy Wick
Joyce Hilton
Bill Shafer
Roger & JoAnn Schramski
Kara Danielson
Dick & Vickie Danielson
Brian & Kathy Wick
Ken & Jean Danielson
Curly Danielson
Morris & Bernice Johnson
Tony Hellstern
Rhonda Hellstern
Dick & Vickie Danielson
Nathan Kobernick
Ben & Gail Kobernick
Brian & Kathy Wick
Jana Wick
Brian & Kathy Wick
Evan, Jess, Maddax & Maryn Wick
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Dick & Vickie Danielson
Ben & Gail Kobernick
Heidi Paulson
Bryan & Denise Hansen
Elwood Hansen
Erik Hansen
Donald Wick
Our Grandparents
Martin Mutegi
Brian & Kathy Wick
John Cina
Joel Grimsled
Grandparents
Evan, Jess, Maddax & Maryn Wick
Erik Hansen
Elwood Hansen
Art & Jennie Hedin
Frank Dumais
Chick & Peg Dumais
Joel Grimsled
Ruth Lightfoot
Martin Mutegi
Bryan & Denise Hansen
Art & Jean Mulfinger
Paul & Alma Thelen
Larry & Bonnie Thelen
Bennie Bannink
Ann & Albert Bannink
Edward Bannink
Elaine Bannink
Ryan Allram
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Elaine Bannink
Herby & Lynette Seeger
Brian & Kathy Wick
Bennie Bannink
Dafney Cabrera
Delores Talmage
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Emma Joy O’Connell
Joseph Link
Penny & Paul O’Connell
Craig Johnson
Bill & Phyllis Johnson
Jennifer Houle
Bob & Bev Gerber
Josh Mortimer
Blaine & Donna Mortimer
Loved ones
Lucille Hansen
Cliff & Sharon Hill
Jason J Dueholm
Rick & Barb Dueholm
Bennie Bannink
Douglas Ritchie
Herby & Lynette Seeger
Daniel Michael Herro
Jim & Sue Bance
Kent Hakari
Vernie Pierce
Eriika Amis
Julie Amis
Jean Danielson
Dear Loved ones
Heidi Paulson
Ramona (Christensen) Jones
Karen Pederson
Loved Ones
Gloria Hedquist
Santa (Curly Danielson)
All others so loved & missed
“I’ll always feel you close to me
and though you’re far from sight.
I’ll search for you among the stars
that shine on Christmas night”
What moves through us is a silence
a quiet sadness,
a longing for one more day,
one more word,
one more touch,
we may not understand
why you left this earth so soon,
or why you left before
we were ready to say goodbye,
but little by little
we begin to remember
not just that you died,
but that you lived.
and that life…
gave us memories
too beautiful to forget.
~ author unknown
Blue Bulbs
In Honor of
Given by
Al & Lorraine Luhman
Allen & Brenda Anderson
Dan Jilek
Todd & Andrea Jilek
Easton, Savannah & Emery (grandchildren)
Ben & Gail Kobernick
LouAnn & Doug Allram
Justin & Jessie Allram & boys
Lynette & Herby Seeger & Cory
Jason & Sarah Seeger & girls
Andrew & Megan Seeger & Quinn
Michael Bannink Sr
Michael & Lida Bannink & girls
Elaine Bannink
Matt & Jessica O’Connell & family
Eric & Gracie O’Connell
Penny & Paul O’Connell
Justin, Jessie, Gavin & Devin Allram
Elaine Bannink
Eldon & Evie Allram
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Elaine Bannink
Our sons, daughter-in-laws &
grand-daughters
Herby & Lynette Seeger
Our children
Shannon & Jason
Rick & Melissa
Jeff & Gina
Our grandchildren
Korey, Quinton, Jackson, Willow
James, William & Kaitlyn
Jim & Sue Bance
Willie Paulson
Heidi Paulson
Lucille Hansen
Jane Wick
Evan & Jess Wick
Maddax & Maryn Wick
Brian & Kathy Wick
Daniel Hansen
Bryan & Denise Hansen
Brian & Kathy Wick
You are braver than you will ever know. You may not realize it but you are valiant, magnificent and strong in spirit. You are courageous. You have endured and somehow survived the most horrific injury that anyone in this life can suffer. Your child has died. But somehow you have miraculously found the strength to still breathe in and out. And after a while, you managed to put one foot in front of the other and have tried to the best of your ability to adapt to a strange new world; one that exists without your precious child in it. A world you must step out in to and face every day without any outward signs that you are altered for life. If you were to wear your most grievous wound displayed on the outside of your body like permanent stigmata, would people recoil from the sight or would they perhaps offer compassion and understanding for your piteous condition? That’s why you are so brave. Although no one else can see how horribly injured you are, you are still doing your best to function and participate in this life. I want to challenge you to be brave just once more. If you have not been to a Compassionate Friends meeting, please muster all of the strength and courage you have and walk in the door for that first meeting. We’ll help you from there. We care. We understand. We too have the same wounds as you. We need not walk alone. Janet G. Reyes TCF Alamo Area Chapter, TX
Waiting for Answers
Years ago I left my first meeting of The Compassionate Friends and drove home in tears. My son, Max, had died a few short weeks before and I had been anxiously awaiting this evening. These people must have some answers, I thought. With paper and pen in purse, I was ready to take notes and do as they prescribed. I would do anything to ease the ache in my soul.
But when I walked out into the spring, air later that night, I felt betrayed. I hadn’t heard any answers. Instead of learning how to leave my grief behind, it had been confirmed, made more real with expression. I knew I would miss Max forever. Now I wondered if I would grieve forever. Would it always be this way, a flash of pain aligned with every memory?
During the next months and years, I attended TCF meetings and conferences, read books, raged, kept busy, sometimes spent the day in bed. I wrote, cried and talked about Max. Slowly, I discovered the answers I had long feared were true: yes, I will grieve forever, and yes, my memories will often provoke tears. But something had changed.
My grief was now more forgiving, my tears almost sweet with memory. Max’s life took shape again as the anguish of his death began to recede. If I would always miss him, I would also always have him with me in so many ways. I wanted to carry his memory into the future: the joy, the lessons, and the inevitable pain. How could I do otherwise?
As I walked to my car after that first meeting, the TCF chapter leader caught up with me. “How can I stop this pain?” I asked. She put her arm on my shoulder. “Just do what feels right to you,” she said, “Listen to your heart. And we’ll be here to listen, too.”
Sometimes the best advice is none at all.
Mary Clark In memory of Max TCF, Sugar Land-SW Houston Chapter, TX
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lights Of Love & Remembrance
The holiday tree of love & remembrance was lit on Sunday, Dec. 11. Sponsored by the Tri-County of The Compassionate Friends, this tree is located in the Clear Lake Main Street Park. White bulbs are given in memory of loved ones who are dearly missed during this time of year & the blue bulbs are given to honor those special people in our lives. This tree will remain lit during the holiday season. The Tri-County Chapter of TCF wishes to thank all who donated to this tree.
White Bulbs
In memory of
Given by
Travis Anderson
Carol Anderson
Allen & Brenda Anderson
Nick Roberts
Matt Roberts
Dennis Blanchard
Amy Benson
Roger & Diane Blanchard
Alyssa Mae Jilek
Todd, Andrea & Dan Jilek
Roger & Diane Blanchard
Brian & Kathy Wick
Joyce Hilton
Bill Shafer
Roger & JoAnn Schramski
Kara Danielson
Dick & Vickie Danielson
Brian & Kathy Wick
Ken & Jean Danielson
Curly Danielson
Morris & Bernice Johnson
Tony Hellstern
Rhonda Hellstern
Dick & Vickie Danielson
Nathan Kobernick
Ben & Gail Kobernick
Brian & Kathy Wick
Jana Wick
Brian & Kathy Wick
Evan, Jess, Maddax & Maryn Wick
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Dick & Vickie Danielson
Ben & Gail Kobernick
Heidi Paulson
Bryan & Denise Hansen
Elwood Hansen
Erik Hansen
Donald Wick
Our Grandparents
Martin Mutegi
Brian & Kathy Wick
John Cina
Joel Grimsled
Grandparents
Evan, Jess, Maddax & Maryn Wick
Erik Hansen
Elwood Hansen
Art & Jennie Hedin
Frank Dumais
Chick & Peg Dumais
Joel Grimsled
Ruth Lightfoot
Martin Mutegi
Bryan & Denise Hansen
Art & Jean Mulfinger
Paul & Alma Thelen
Larry & Bonnie Thelen
Bennie Bannink
Ann & Albert Bannink
Edward Bannink
Elaine Bannink
Ryan Allram
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Elaine Bannink
Herby & Lynette Seeger
Brian & Kathy Wick
Bennie Bannink
Dafney Cabrera
Delores Talmage
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Emma Joy O’Connell
Joseph Link
Penny & Paul O’Connell
Craig Johnson
Bill & Phyllis Johnson
Jennifer Houle
Bob & Bev Gerber
Josh Mortimer
Blaine & Donna Mortimer
Loved ones
Lucille Hansen
Cliff & Sharon Hill
Jason J Dueholm
Rick & Barb Dueholm
Bennie Bannink
Douglas Ritchie
Herby & Lynette Seeger
Daniel Michael Herro
Jim & Sue Bance
Kent Hakari
Vernie Pierce
Eriika Amis
Julie Amis
Jean Danielson
Dear Loved ones
Heidi Paulson
Ramona (Christensen) Jones
Karen Pederson
Loved Ones
Gloria Hedquist
Santa (Curly Danielson)
All others so loved & missed
“I’ll always feel you close to me
and though you’re far from sight.
I’ll search for you among the stars
that shine on Christmas night”
What moves through us is a silence
a quiet sadness,
a longing for one more day,
one more word,
one more touch,
we may not understand
why you left this earth so soon,
or why you left before
we were ready to say goodbye,
but little by little
we begin to remember
not just that you died,
but that you lived.
and that life…
gave us memories
too beautiful to forget.
~ author unknown
Blue Bulbs
In Honor of
Given by
Al & Lorraine Luhman
Allen & Brenda Anderson
Dan Jilek
Todd & Andrea Jilek
Easton, Savannah & Emery (grandchildren)
Ben & Gail Kobernick
LouAnn & Doug Allram
Justin & Jessie Allram & boys
Lynette & Herby Seeger & Cory
Jason & Sarah Seeger & girls
Andrew & Megan Seeger & Quinn
Michael Bannink Sr
Michael & Lida Bannink & girls
Elaine Bannink
Matt & Jessica O’Connell & family
Eric & Gracie O’Connell
Penny & Paul O’Connell
Justin, Jessie, Gavin & Devin Allram
Elaine Bannink
Eldon & Evie Allram
Doug & LouAnn Allram
Elaine Bannink
Our sons, daughter-in-laws &
grand-daughters
Herby & Lynette Seeger
Our children
Shannon & Jason
Rick & Melissa
Jeff & Gina
Our grandchildren
Korey, Quinton, Jackson, Willow
James, William & Kaitlyn
Jim & Sue Bance
Willie Paulson
Heidi Paulson
Lucille Hansen
Jane Wick
Evan & Jess Wick
Maddax & Maryn Wick
Brian & Kathy Wick
Daniel Hansen
Bryan & Denise Hansen
Brian & Kathy Wick
