Walk to Remember - Sydney 2024
At the end of the Walk, our President Dr Chris Hardwicke, shared the following:
On behalf of The Compassionate Friends, I pay respect to the traditional Gadigal custodians of the land, to their elders past, present and emerging.
It is wonderful to see you here today – because how often do we get the chance to walk through this beautiful city and remind that the world that our children, our brothers and sisters, were here and how much we love them and miss them?
On days like today, it’s difficult to know what to say, because I am surrounded by like minded people, who have shared my life experience of having lost a child or a sibling. Words all too often seem inadequate and they often convey something that you’ve heard before. I think one of the great advantages of this organisation is that sometimes, words aren’t needed at all. There is a simple understanding that goes beyond language.
In thinking about today and reflecting on how my life has changed for me in the past 6 years, I admit to looking for inspiration from those more eloquent than myself and I found this, which resonated with me for two reasons: it contained a narrative that I understood and it was written by a man: John Meltzer – abridged version. https://allianceofhope.org/ten-years/
This is what I have learned ten years later: My grief was not only for my lost child but also for what I lost of myself as well.
The death of a loved one is not something we get over, nor even get through, rather it is something we come to terms with over time.
By accepting our grief and loss as part of who we now are, we gradually heal. Our ‘new normal’ does not mean that we are doomed to a lifetime of just going through the motions; we can re-engage in living fully. We discover that the hole in our heart can hold both joy and sadness, laughter, and tears at the same time.
There are no shortcuts – the only way to come to terms with grief is to grieve. Be patient with yourself – let time do the heavy lifting of healing. There is no timetable; every person’s grief is unique, so do not let anyone else tell you when grieving should be over.
On those special days, there will still be tears, our hearts will still ache. But there will be smiles and laughter too as we remember our children, our brothers and sisters, our grandchildren - and the light they brought into our lives.
The sadness of their absence will be joined by a calm acceptance holding us tight and an understanding that love is never ending.
Remember to be gentle on yourself, my fellow travellers, as you walk this road. Your family needs you; you need you.
Sometimes it will seem you are not making any progress, just going in circles or even backwards. Be patient and stay the course. It will be the hardest work you will ever do, but I promise you with all my heart, there will come a time when the road levels off, when the dark gives way to light, when laughter and joy returns, and you realize within yourself is a strength you never knew you possessed.
I have to thank several people for making this day work:
- Cindy Leslie – the NGO and Patrick Dunn Corporate Programs Coordinator, both from the South
Eastern Sydney Local Health District for their continued support in supporting for that funding and
of course from the health authority itself.
- Lolliland for the lollys
- Vitality Brands for the sunscreen donation
- Grima Bothers for the shop voucher
- Our wonderful musicians from the Sydney Ensemble.
- The first-aiders from St.John Ambulance, Angela & Kevin
I would also like to say a special thank you to those have helped today:
- Michelle Watfa, Lana Grant, Lynette O’Neill, Ashlee Kaminski, Tom Michalouros, Peter Rappo
and Caitriona Farrell
- To all of our marshals and helpers and to all of our other volunteers who give of their time and
energy in supporting TCF
- And a special thank you to my right hand ladies – Jo & Joy. I could not do this job without you!
- And finally, a thank you to all of you, for being part of today. Thank you for supporting The
Compassionate Friends, because this organisation can’t function without your support and the
support of those that understand what we are trying to achieve.
Please enjoy the rest of the rest of the afternoon.
Share stories of love and the precious lives that have brought you here today and remember that The Compassionate Friends will never let you walk alone.
