Meetingsoftheheart

i've made here on the circle. And i pray that each of you get the chance to meet a sister or brother on this journey we're on, So you too can experience the healing power of a 'Meeting Of The Hearts' " .

Marlene - "Meeting Phyllis and Jess was a very special time for me. This was my second and third meeting of the hearts in one visit. Phyllis had been in touch with me and we were setting up our meeting, when I received an email from Jess, asking if she could join us as well. I was absolutely so excited. As Jess would be driving quite a distance, I asked if she'd like to spend the night in my home, and I'd ask Phyllis as well. We could make it a slumber party, and so it was! Magical is what I'd call it.

Phyllis arrived first, and I remember my phone had rung, just minutes before she walked up and rang the doorbell. I ran and opened the door and received the most wonderful Slavik hug of my life. I had to tell my niece on the phone, I would have to call her back. It was just so wonderful. We hugged and cried and shared, and before too long, Jess arrived and we were three mothers who lost our sons, sharing, caring, loving. Jess even cooked for us, making us the most delicious Cajun meal, shrimp et'toufee! What an absolute feast! How wonderful it was having them both here in my home, unhurried, able to just relax and talk, and enjoy one another. Phyllis had brought albums of Tony, and so many things for us to enjoy, even VCR tapes. I pulled out some of my video's I had of Chris as well. It was so wonderful, having our son's right there on the television screen, with us.

I thought to myself, how fortunate I was, this time the meeting of hearts was in February, which was Chris birth month, another anniversary month, I was able to share with both of them."

Kathy - "Marlene and I met in June of 2000. I remember sitting in

the lobby of the Dixieland Resort at Disney World wondering how

in the world will I recognize her. The room was just scurrying with

people coming and going in every possible direction, but when our

eyes met from across the room.....somehow ALL the months of

cyber hugs, comforting words, loving understanding, unconditional

bonds of grief, and embracing of survivorship, it was not hard to

recognize my fellow journeyman. Marlene is just as warm and

giving as she enters our lives through the 'Circle', and I would en-

courage everyone to, when at all possible, make a special effort to have a true 'Meeting of the Hearts'."

Marlene - "How very well I remember meeting Kathy. It was June, 2000. She would be visiting Florida, with her family, staying in Orlando at one of the Disney Parks. I was so excited to learn she would be coming here from her home in Texas. Orlando is only a two hour drive from my home. The meeting was set and I was anxious to meet her. Kathy had lost her son Eric, who was only 21 years old, seven years ago. I had lost Chris, three years ago that very month. How fortunate it was for me to be meeting her at this very special time, the third anniversary.

I remember driving there, the two hour drive, seemed so much longer. (Of course, it didn't help that I did get lost a few times while in the park, trying to find the resort she was staying at. At last there it was, the Dixieland Resort. I pulled into the parking lot, and walked into the main entrance. The lobby, was so large and full of people. I walked through, just looking at everyone, then suddenly I saw her sitting on one of the benches, holding a Damn-it doll. I knew instantly and she did as well. Our eyes met, and she walked towards me and I to her, and we hugged, nearly squishing the poor doll. How honored I was to have my Damn-it doll delivered in person.

We drove to Downtown Disney for lunch and sat, and cried, and shared, and connected. What a truly unbelievable experience this was for me. Kathy is just so caring and giving, and loving. I felt as if I had known her a very long time already. It was such a wonderful union, and one I won't forget. I hope one day we will have the opportunity to meet again."

Phyllis - "As it turns out, Marlene lives not far from where my parents lived for 16 years. I spent many vacations there over the years and continue to go back even though my Mom and Dad are gone. Now the chance to meet Marlene gave me an even better reason to visit! And Jess, being just a 'few states away', joined us for this very special 'Meeting of the Hearts.' It was like I'd known these two woman forever - no awkwardness, no fumbling for words . . . just three Moms who had lost three sons . . . sharing the memories and the love."

Jess - "Meeting Phyllis an Marlene was more like meeting sisters while on a lonely journey, instant smiles, hugs, tears, laughs, no introductions needed. I felt as though i've know them all my life, gifts were shared with love as sisters do. Never once did we stumble for words to say to one another. It felt so warm an comforting to my heart, i just sat close to them holding my sisters, listing to there stories, drawing strength from every word spoken between us, so much strength that i was able to return home an go back into the real world after 2 1/2 years of solitude in my own world of grief after loosing my 15 year old son Lonie. I owe many thanks to the women in the circle that took me under their wings, and help me over ever obstacle i had to stumble over, lifting me back to my feet each time. I could never repay the circle for all the healing it gave to me. With all my heart i give Prayer an Love to the friends

Barb - "I can remember flying out to CA on a red-eye, middle of the night it felt like, eyes so swollen and nose red in that first 24 hr. state of shock. Sitting there, flying in the dark, with so many things rushing into and out of my mind. A recurring thought was: "I know I am not the only mother experiencing the suicide of our sons." That on the morrow, another mother somewhere would be feeling and disbelieving these same thoughts. That thought would not leave me for at least a week. About 1 1/2 years later, I found the Circle and Fern. Steve died 2 days after Scott. Scott on 5/11/97, Steve on 5/13/97. Of all the wonderful people on the Circle, Fern was one that I gravitated to. She seemed so far ahead of me in surviving and healing. We began an e-mail friendship. In the fall of 2000 Harley and I flew to Washington, rented a car and drove to Lewiston. Following her instructions,

we pulled up in front of her work building and I called her on the cell phone. She came bursting out the door and down the steps as I was hanging up and getting that car door open. Words cannot describe the 'completeness' that I experienced when we hugged. Two 'mother hearts' knowing exactly what the other one feels. There is nothing like it."