For Kristen, losing her husband of 15 years was simply “not in the game plan.” Yet she and her two children found themselves dealing with overwhelming grief after her husband, Christopher, passed away from cancer less than six months after he was diagnosed. It left the family struggling to deal
20&20
Amy and Sophia’s Story
Big trucks with big wheels playing loud music. It’s a big part of Sophia’s memories of her father, John, who died when she was just six years old. “He was so fun,” Sophia said. “I remember sitting in the big spare tires in the back of his truck and going to
Samantha’s Story
Samantha was just a small child when her father, Ian, partnered with Sky’s mother, Vanessa. Almost immediately, young Samantha formed a close relationship with Sky, as did Ian’s other daughter, Mamie. While explaining the family tree takes a bit of time, there was never a doubt about the love that
Our Founder’s Stories
Dr. Adrienne Larkin: When Adrienne Larkin’s son Colin died at 15, she longed to talk to other mothers who had lost a child. The Compassionate Friends group gave her that. Adrienne wished her 7-year-old son David could talk to a group of kids who had lost a loved one. That
Paulina and Jesse’s Story
Paulina and her son, Jesse, spent a month in Paris this year. It was more than a vacation for the two as they were there in remembrance of a daughter and sister, Tania, who passed away in a car accident on Oct. 15, 2007. “She loved Paris,” said Paulina. “Every
Paul and Colton’s Story
For Paul, the Grief Center became ‘the best thing I ever did’ Days after his six-year-old daughter Pearla died in a car accident, Paul enrolled himself and his son Colton in group sessions at the Children’s Grief Center. His grief was still raw when he went to the center to
Matthew and Natalie’s Story
Matthew learned to express his feelings with help from the Children’s Grief Center When Matthew has something on his mind, it’s hard for him to open up, he says. But several years after his uncle Miguel died by suicide, Matthew wrote an essay about his uncle. The essay won a
Jennifer and Daniel’s Story
Daniel tries to help others deal with the grief of losing a parent. Daniel learned those skills thanks to his time at the Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico. Often, when Daniel and his mother, Jennifer, are in the car heading out on a new adventure, a memory will cross
Socorro’s Story
Socorro found support at the Children’s Grief Center in both light and dark times The Children’s Grief Center supported Socorro during her lightest and darkest moments after loss 14 years ago. Socorro’s husband, Edward, died from a massive heart attack on his 36th birthday. Their son Diego was 5 and
Kelly and Connor’s Story
Kelly and her son found a vision for a future after loss with CGC’s help Kelly remembers the day her son Connor first felt ready to talk about how his dad, Jason, died. The family was attending the Children’s Grief Center, and Connor had gone to the center’s Camp Corazon,
12