Offering compassionate support
ANNE Finegan understands the pain of losing a child and wants to help others through the grieving process.
Next month she is launching a Cairns chapter of The Compassionate Friends, an international support group for families grieving the death of a child.
“My involvement with The Compassionate Friends began eight years ago with the sudden death of our beautiful 20year-old son, Josh,” Anne says.
“I just did not know I could or would possibly survive something so incredibly sad, heartbreaking, lonely and devastating and so I reached out to The Compassionate Friends and over the years they were my saving grace on so many occasions,” she says.
“I now do a lot of volunteer work for them and it is time to branch out and offer the friendship, compassion and support to others that was so kindly extended to us.
“Living with the nightmare of losing a child, grandchild or sibling can be the saddest and loneliest of journeys, but together we can support and offer comfort to each other.”
Anne says The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is non-denominational, has no religious affiliation and aims to help bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents deal with their loss and grief.
“We offer friendship and understanding by reaching out to bereaved parents, to the surviving siblings and other family members to support them in the grief and trauma which follows the death of a child of any age and from any cause.”
Anne says many find comfort from the stories of those who have “been there” and “walked in your shoes”.
“TCF offers a safe haven, a listening and understanding ear, a place where you can let down the masks.
“There is no miracle cure, just comfort and the consolation and hope that broken threads can be picked up again.
“There are no pressures to talk or not talk, to cry or not cry, just a chance to be yourself and have time-out,” she says.
Josh took his own life two weeks before Christmas 2010 and Anne says Christmas has never been the same.
“Christmas was always a huge deal in our family, I’d decorate the whole house and fill stockings for the kids, we really went all out.
“I still make an effort for my daughter Amy, but I can’t put up our big Christmas tree anymore, not like I used to.”
The Cairns chapter of The Compassionate Friends will meet 7-9pm, first Wednesday of the month from June 5 at QCWA Hall, 38-40 Yarrum St, Earlville. Email Anne at g.afinegan@bigpond.com or call her on 0407 162 039.