16 parents came to our November meeting. We started the evening by Ian reading ‘An Ugly Pair of Shoes’ (author unknown). It expresses the painful journey of grief which nobody wants to be part of but recognizes that although it is hard road often one becomes stronger. It started a good conversation and parents shared what they found difficult.

We spoke about the Christmas season coming upon us and those parents who have had several Christmases without their child shared their experiences as for a few of the  parents will have their first Christmas without their child.

Some parents made decoration ready to be used for the Christmas Tree Festival at St Michael’s Church at Aspley Heath.

We welcomed one new parent and had to say good by to a fantastic couple as they are moving away. They have been part of our group for the last few years and they will be missed. We wished them the very best and gave them a candle with our group logo as it is symbol for our meeting.

Events for December:

Christmas Tree Festival in St Michael’s Church at Aspley Heath. The group will display a tree and you can visit the church between 9th and 11th December. As it is not far from Woburn Abbey it would be easy to visit the church before coming to the Tree Service.

Tree Service 11 th December from 3pm

You are invited to come along and decorate the tree. Porcelain starts will be available for parents and family members to write the name of your child and hang it on the tree. This is an opportunity to spend a quiet time before the rush of Christmas is upon us, to take time to gather our thoughts and feelings and create a tree decorated with love and unified by all the children’s names.

Please bring a torch. There will be time beforehand to visit the restaurant for a warm drink.

We also will be able to unveil a bench in this beautiful spot which was paid from the money our group received over the last 18 months.

Our next meeting will be 15th December – 7.30pm