You’ll also find details of events in 2009, and a special opportunity to go on an activity holiday for families who have lost a mum or dad.

With all our love and best wishes,

Joy and Bob Jones, Care for the Family
www.careforthefamily.org.uk/adj

There’s a popular Christmas song which contains these words: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” For you, though, Christmas may not be so wonderful this year. In fact, when we have lost a partner early in life, Christmas can be one of the hardest times for us.

We remember the joys of Christmases past, and wonder how we can get through this season when the rest of the world seems to be rejoicing. However hard we try to enter into the celebration of Christmas, a sudden recollection of our loss can easily bring us down to earth with a bump...

“Snow is falling, all around us – children playing, having fun” are words from a Christmas song which remind us that Christmas is a special time for children. They will be immersed in it, whether at school, church or other activities – and it will be an exciting time for them.

The magic of Christmas can still be very real for children, even though there is sadness in their lives. Children ‘live for the moment’ more than adults do and you may well find that they are able to enter into Christmassy things much easier than you are. Yes, there will still be moments of poignancy and sadness – but it’s likely that our children will enjoy Christmas more than we will. How can we best help them?

We would love to meet you at one of Care for the Family’s A Different Journey events in 2009. If you are able to come to one of these events, put the date in your diary now. We’ll let you know how to book in a future issue of the newsletter.

Exeter – Saturday 7 February
Belfast – Saturday 7 March
Weekend near Stafford – Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May
Cardiff – Saturday 6 June
Portsmouth – Saturday 7 November

Easter holiday for families who have lost a mum or dad

There is also a great opportunity for twelve families to have an Easter activity holiday at The Beacon Centre, Lynton, North Devon.

The Beacon Centre is running its own holiday in 2009 for bereaved families with children aged 8-16, from 13 to 19 April (the week after Easter), and we'll both be going.

Full details and booking packs are available from janeinglis@btinternet.com – there is a bursary scheme available to help those who may find it difficult to attend because of cost. If you're interested in coming, please make enquiries as soon as you can - last year's holiday at The Beacon Centre filled up very quickly.

Information on holidays organised by other parties is supplied in good faith, but Care for the Family cannot accept responsibility for any service provided by other individuals or organisations.

If you would like to talk to someone who knows the heartache and pain of losing a partner whilst still young, please remember that we have a team of telephone befrienders who can contact you and support you through the tough times.

If you would like to find out more about being put in touch with a telephone befriender, please email bobandjoy@cff.org.uk or call Care for the Family on (029) 2081 0800.