The Compassionate Friends                     

Brevard/Hendersonville North Carolina

 Area Chapter

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On August 14, 2006, The Compassionate Friends of Brevard, NC held their first Balloon Release, and what a beautiful site it was.  We all attached messages to the balloons and on the count of three…away they went, like a group of children on a field trip.  Higher and higher up over the trees.  Then they became smaller and smaller.  We watch, search, our eyes filled with tears.

I know that in releasing these balloons, a modicum of grief is also released, and our children’s joyous spirit replaces that which is released.  I know that the spirit of our children was very close to us in this moment.  We thank our children for allowing us to feel their spirit. 

Heartfelt thanks to: 

v      Caroline and Steve Smith for providing the helium and the balloons.

v      Linda Freed for providing us with the butterfly cutouts to write our messages.

v      Stephanie Anne Smith for providing us with the delicious pizza.

v      Ashley Freed for providing us with the photography of beautiful memories.

 The program was as follows:

 1.  The poem “The Promise” was read by Marisol Gollnick, requested by Caroline Smith.

The Promise

Your birth brought me star-shine,

the moon and the sun;

my wishes, dreams gathered

‘round my little one.

My life became sacred,

full of promise and light,

all wrapped in the girl-child

who brought love at first sight.

The years of your living

Filled with laughter and tears,

Excitement, adventure,

Some boredom, some fears,

But ended too quickly,

Ahead of its time.

The loss so horrendous,

Such heartbreak was mine.

But from the beginning,

one thought rose so clear:

never would your death erase

the years that you were here.

I would not be defeated

Or diminished by your death;

I would hang on, learn to conquer,

if it took my every breath.

For if your death destroyed my life,

Made both our lives a waste,

‘t would deny your life’s meaning

and all the love you gave.

I vowed that years of sadness

would change, with work and grace,

to years of happiness, even joy,

in which you’d have a place.

Memories of you, like shining stars

in the patterns of my soul,

are beacons flashing light and love,

and with them I am whole.

In your honor, I live my life,

now living it for two.

Through all my life, you too will live.

You lived, you live, you do.

2.  Our children’s names were read. 

3.  The song “Precious Child” by Karen Taylor-Good was played. 

4.  Released balloons.

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Copyright © 2006 The Compassionate Friends - Brevard/Hendersonville North Carolina Area Chapter
Last modified: 04/21/08