For current information or in the event of inclement weather and a meeting may be cancelled, check our website: www.tcfmadisonareachapter.com Send emails to: tcfmadisonwi@gmail.com

 

      

   In Loving Memory of James George "Jim" Staniforth

 

     James George Staniforth, age 83, of Oregon, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Agrace Hospice Care, with his loving family by his side. On Sept. 12, 1970, James married Sharon (Getter) Staniforth at St. Paul’s Catholic Chapel in Madison. James is survived by his wife, Sharon; and son, Michael (Stacey) Staniforth. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jill Staniforth. He served as a volunteer with the Compassionate Friends, where he was a local leader for 13 years and a national presenter, attending conferences for 15 years every summer. For over 30 years he made buttons for hundreds of bereaved parents of their beloved children who had gone too soon. Jim was a loving husband and father, who always used love, compassion and faith to guide his family. Blest be his memory. You are missed. 

 

     My feet were cold from the icy pavement as I waited for the morning bus. The bitter winter was receding, and I was working hard on gratitude. I bent my head deeper into my scarf and saw a penny in the street.

   I had just returned from a regional meeting of The Compassionate Friends in Green Bay, Wisconsin.   

     A presenter held up his ‘Pennies from Heaven’ and declared that signs from our loved ones are everywhere. I wonder… I picked up that penny and found my reading glasses.

   

    I work on gratitude with some skepticism. Was this a treasure or just a muddy little coin? The date imprinted in the copper became clear—1983—the year my son was born.

 

    Surprise and tears triggered by that date immediately washed across my face. I no longer felt cold.     

      I meandered through memories of a day in July some 20+ years ago when I delivered that child.           “Collect yourself,” I said to myself under my breath. I might scare my mass transit bus mates. In the cold air I turned my face away from the others and watched my breath puff into icy clouds.

     

     The bus appeared and I boarded with everyone else. I was a penny richer that day and grateful beyond measure for the treasure trove of memories that lay in my hand.

Monica Colberg TCF Minneapolis, MN In Memory of my son Art

 

Roselawn on a mild, late autumn afternoon

Flaming trees grace the landscape,

Leaves fluttering in the Indian summer breeze,

It gives me peace to be near Todd.

It gives me peace to be near Todd,

His spirit, in the wind, plays on my skin.

 

Soon the harvest moon will rise from the earth,

A jack-o-lantern sits next to Todd's headstone,

His spirit plays on my skin,

Tis the season of dying, but not today.

 

A jack-o-lantern sits next to Todd's headstone,

Alongside the marigolds and mums,  

Tis the season of dying, but not today,

Roselawn on a mild, late autumn afternoon. 

 

 

 

 LOVE GIFTS

 

     A Love Gift is a gift of money (or books) to The Compassionate Friends. It is usually in memory of a child, grandchild or sibling who has died, but it may be from individuals who wish to honor a relative or friend who has died, a gift that their children are alive, or simply a gift from someone who wants to help. The Compassionate Friends charges no individual dues or fees and depends on such Love Gifts to meet the Chapter’s expenses, including the printing and mailing of this newsletter. Please send any Love Gifts to our treasurer, Donna Knickmeyer, W14118 Selwood Drive, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578 Checks should be made out to “The Compassionate Friends.” Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip__________________________________________________________________________________________ In Memory of:________________________________________________________________________ $________________

 

Thomas & Peggy Alt, in memory of their son, Jeffrey Alan Alt

Colin & Catherine Barfoot, in memory of their son, Joel William Barfoot

Patricia Barton, in memory of her son, Troy T. Rogers

Bill & Linda Bussian, in memory of their daughter, Karin Elizabeth Bussian

Bill & Linda Bussian, in memory of their friend, Jim Staniforth

John Carrier, in memory of his son, Rick Robert Carrier

Donna Knickmeyer, in memory of her son, Ryan William Knickmeyer

Richard & Karen Nelson, in memory of their daughter, Tamara Thering Richard & Karen Nelson, in memory of their son, Fred Nelson Richard & Karen Nelson, in memory of their son, Donald Nelson Jim & Jane Nosal, in memory of their daughter, Caroline Nosal

Charles & Connie Palmer, in memory of their grandson, Ries Lazzeroni

Charles & Connie Palmer, in memory of their grandson, Colton Lazzeroni

Karen Wolf, in memory of her son, Brad Wolf

Karen Wolf, in memory of her daughter, Angie Campbell

Karen Wolf, in memory of her friend, James “Jim” Staniforth

Loraine Zeier, in memory of their daughter, Maria R. Zeier 

 

 

Thanks to the friend who did know the right words to say: "There is a group in town that might help you."

 

Thanks to the parent who somehow found the courage to call that phone number and find out about "that group."

 

Thanks to the mother who went to that first meeting knowing it would really hurt to talk — and talked.

 

Thanks to the dad who said after the first meeting that he could never come back — but did. Thanks to the parent who, at the fifth meeting, put her arms around a "new one" and said: "They really can help."

 

Thanks to the mom who, for the first time, was again able to bake cookies — for her "Compassionate Friends."

 

Thanks to the homemaker who could never talk in front of people — who became a facilitator.

 

Thanks to the six-foot father who cried in front of the other men — and didn't say he was sorry. Because of you, we will be able to help someone we don't even know — next month.

 

John DeBoer TCF Greater Omaha, NE