Memories That Move Us –

Still want to donate to this year’s walk? It’s not too late to make an online contribution at  Firstgiving.

Again, we thank our generous walk sponsors, all the friends and volunteers and donors who made our Memories Walk a success again this year, and we especially thank the Arlington Hockey Club for another amazing year of support!

Ten years after losing her husband, Teresa Mathai shared some of her memories and reflections with us. “Ten years ago, on September 11, 2001, when I heard my husband Joseph Mathai was at a conference at Windows on the World at the WTC and missing after the buildings collapsed, I was in shock and overwhelmed. As a mother with two young kids, I did not know how to break the news to them and how to face the uncertain future ahead. Good friends of ours, Joe and Candy Bergantino, suggested that I call The Children’s Room, which I did. Our family will never forget the kindness and loving support we received from The Children’s Room from those early days of this tragedy, and we will forever be grateful for the continued friendship we have maintained all these years!”

Here at The Children’s Room, we work every day to help support grieving families, and we know that the death of a parent or sibling remains one of society’s least understood and least supported issues. Yet we are inspired daily by stories of courage, and stories of families who turn loss into healing.

Teresa Mathai recently helped Boston families record their memories of loved ones when the 9/11 Memorial Museum visited Boston, through a series of audio recording sessions at The Children’s Room. One of those who shared his story was Franklin Ross, whose father died on 9/11.

Franklin wrote a book of poems to honor his father, and his poetry illustrates how creative expression can transform pain into meaning and beauty. His collection of poetry honors the life of his father Richard Ross, and shines as a beacon of hope for others who have experienced a profound loss. We offer a link so you can read more about the collection of poems by Franklin Ross. Franklin has generously offered to donate part of the proceeds from his book to The Children’s Room.

Two women who have become part of our circle of support at The Children’s Room are Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, who were both widowed on 9/11. Together, Susan and Patti have helped hundreds of widows through the foundation they built together, called  Beyond the 11th . The Children’s Room is grateful for the generous support we have received from the David E. Retik and Christopher D. Mello Foundation, which in turn has helped sustain our programs for grieving families in Massachusetts.

Our Director of Education and Training, Deborah Rivlin, worked with Boston-area 9/11 families for years. In a Boston Globe article this past week, Deborah reflected; “The loss is forever, you are changed forever, but you learn to integrate the loss into your life. There’s an opportunity that comes, in finding ways to make meaning of the loss.”

As a resource to our community, we offer a list of suggestions for talking to your child about the tenth anniversary, recommended by the National Alliance for Grieving Children.

The community support was simply amazing.  We would like to thank everyone who walked, donated, and sent words of encouragement.  And we would like to give special thanks to our Sol Circle walkers, the Arlington Hockey Club, and Robert’s Birthday party.

Donations can still be made online at www.firstgiving.com/childrensroom, or by mail.

It was wonderful to watch the more than 80 women who came to play soccer – but Team Up was much more than a tournament. We were thrilled that Boston Breaker, Jordan Angell stopped by to sign autographs and talk to the kids, and Heart-E-Ha Ha (Shari Rose) was there to work her face painting magic. The day was filled with good sport, great auction items, generous volunteers and fun games for kids. The event was truly a testament to the spirit and power of our community!

When Victoria signed up for the Boston Marathon, she created a fundraising challenge for herself — to raise enough to fund 5 children in the program ($7,500).  Well, she doubled her goal! Victoria’s Run has crossed the $15,000 mark, and will cover the costs for 10 children in the support program at The Children’s Room. 

But there is more exciting news: Victoria is number 10 on the list of John Hancock Non-Profit Marathon Program runners!  She is being recognized tonight at their Top 10 Fundraiser Appreciation Event.

What can we say? Wow!
This has been a wonderful and memorable tribute to Victoria’s brother, Peter.  And it has been a tremendous help to The Children’s Room. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this amazing outcome.

You can help her reach this amazing new target to fund ten children by donating today.
To read more about Victoria and her story, visit our Victoria’s Run page.

Topics may include anything from how to answer your children’s questions, to how to ask for help from family and friends.  Not only will you find sensitivity and kindness from this group, but you will also be meeting other parents who are struggling with the adjustment to the new reality of life without your loved ones.

We meet at the house in Arlington from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Please RSVP to kim@childrensroom.org to help us best prepare for the meeting. Light refreshments will be served. We apologize that we are not able to offer childcare at this time. We look forward to welcoming you to any or all of our drop-in discussions!

Using the Sesame Street Muppets, the program provides language for adults to use that is child appropriate and useful for the whole family. In our eyes, this is Must See TV!

You can see TCR’s own founding board member, Dr. Phyllis R. Silverman on the CBS Sunday Morning News this weekend! Dr. Silverman and Madelyn Kelly co-authored A Parent’s Guide to Raising Grieving Children: Rebuilding your Family After the Death of a Loved One. Dr. Silverman appears in an interview with Katie Couric in promotion of the April 14th primetime special.

To learn more about Dr. Silverman and her work, you can visit her website and blog:
Website: www.phyllisrsilverman.com
Blog: http://psychologytoday.com/blog/raising-grieving-children

So often kids hold feelings of grief deep inside, and their grief is unrecognized and unacknowledged. These teens reach out to others with the message that breaking this silence is redemptive and healing.

The Teen Performance Troupe is an integral part of The Children’s Room outreach and education effort in our communities, so that our message of hope and compassion reaches many more children in diverse neighborhoods and schools. For many children whose families cannot access bereavement services, the teen troupe brings empathy and validation.

The troupe performance calendar includes dates for Lexington, Plymouth, and Newton schools, Tufts and BC, and a bereavement center in Northampton.  Please contact us if you would like to learn more about scheduling a performance, or read more about The Teen Performance Troupe.

We invite everyone to join us at the Belmont Hill School on June 6th for the final public performance of the season.

In her practice at Lexington Pediatrics, Victoria has often recommended TCR to families after the death of a parent or child. Now she is inspired to raise money to support The Children’s Room. She is motivated to help TCR continue to provide children and their families with a caring, safe environment and the resources to rebuild their lives after the loss of a loved one.

The Children’s Room welcomes all families, regardless of their ability to pay.

Read more about Victoria’s story and how you can support her inspiring run.
Track Victoria’s progress on Marathon day using number 27425 on the BAA website.