Introducing "Open Arms for Empty Hearts" in Lake Havasu City, AZ - Please Join Us

We are pleased to introduce "Open Arms for Empty Hearts".   As many of you know, Joyce Floyd gave the Lake Havasu City, AZ community and Mom's years of her help and support and we could never fill those shoes, so thank you Joyce for all your dedication and support.  As Joyce moves on to other endeavors, our goal is to take up the gauntlet and continue with the idea of Mom's helping Mom's. 

We are so pleased to announce that as of this Thursday, February 13th, we will begin meeting on the 2nd & 4th Thursday mornings of each month at the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center from 10am-12N.  Our meetings will be open to all Mom's, new and old that wish to participate in celebrating their child's life and memories.  As you all know, the loss of a child is probably the most painful loss one can suffer.  Only those who have experienced that loss can offer their support and comfort to others.  This will be an open forum, members taking turns hosting the meetings...bringing their own experiences and knowledge to others..

We are also pleased to introduce our Facebook page "Open Arms for Empty Hearts" and would encourage all moms to go to the site and feel free to post any comments, suggestions or ideas - again our Facebook page is another work in progress...  

We are all looking forward to seeing all of you again and welcoming new members.  Beginning this week, registrations forms will be available so that we have up-to-date contact information and we hope you will pass the word, and reach out to moms who may have attended in the past and make sure they have our new meeting information. 

If you have any questions or suggestions you can also contact us at "openarmsforemptyhearts@gmail.com"

Charlyne, Debbie, Janet & SharonEmpty

The Journey Group Meetings resume this Thursday Oct. 24th 10am-12N - Join Us

For mom's in the Lake Havasu City area, we are pleased to let you know that The Journey Group will begin meeting for the Fall 2013 thru Spring 2014 sessions on Thursday 10/24 at 10 a.m. until noon at the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center, Rooms 153 & 154.  

A schedule of up-coming sessions will be part of your 10/24 hand-out material.  Please make note of the dates and we will also note reminders of the dates here as well..

If you have a friend or know someone who is a bereaved Mother, PLEASE email or phone me.  I will make contact with her, personally inviting her to the Journey Group.  I will follow up by sending a letter and brochure.  

Also, IF you have any suggestions you would like to make for the meetings........I.E. something special you think we should do;  a project we might consider to review........PLEASE get in touch with me.  This is YOUR GROUP........not just mine.  We can do anything we choose to do to celebrate our children.   I am totally open to new and fresh ideas.   I welcome hearing from you.

Our 7th Annual Retreat will be held at the Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch the weekend of Friday 2/21/14.......Sunday 2/23/14.   Theme is "MY HEART WILL GO ON".....     Retreat information and registration forms will be available at the first meeting.  

The annual "Lights of Love" Candlelight Ceremony  will be held the 2nd Sunday of the month of December.   Location will be Calvary Baptist LHC and the date is 12/08/13 @ 6:00 p.m.  More details will follow.   PLEASE mark your calendars. 

With this said.......I hope to see each one of you soon.  Remember in Jer. 31:13  God promises HE will turn our mourning into JOY !!!    Expect it...........Look for it!!!   It is there!!!  You just have to accept it.    

Blessings, Love and PEACE in your lives ,  Joyce Floyd

"Heartbeat" Meeting Dates

Reminder - HEARTBEAT Meeting

HEARTBEAT is a wonderful support group for those in our community, who have lost a loved one to suicide

"HEARTBEAT" is hosting their last meetings of the season, next week:

• Tuesday evening, April 9th  in Kingman at the First Southern Baptist Church-3120 Hualapai Mountian Rd at 7pm.
• Wednesday evening April 10th at Lake Havasu Community Center- 100 Park Ave., Room 152, 7pm.

HEARTBEAT will taking a break for the summer and the monthly meetings will resume in the fall, beginning in October...

• October 8th in Kingman at the First Southern Baptist Church-3120 Hualapai Mountian Rd at 7pm
• October 9th at Lake Havasu Community Center- 100 Park Ave., Room 152, 7pm Lake Havasu City.

Mark your calendars, HEARTBEAT will be observing the 15th Annual International Survivors of Suicide Day November 23rd with further information to come later.

You can contact the Founders of HEARTBEAT, Dan and Judy Hoppes at Tele: 928 208-0129 or email: jdhoppes@frontiernet.net

Our 5th Annual Retreat - Feb. 24-26th, 2012

Just a reminder to all that our 5th Annual Retreat is just 3 months away.. We will be discussing this more in the weeks to come and we want to be sure that there is a spot reserved for everyone who wants to join us... Ask anyone who has attended prior retreats and they will tell you why they always return... it is wonderful experience in every respect..

OUR 5TH ANNUAL 2012 JOURNEY TO JOY RETREAT

Please Join Us..

• When: 2012 - Friday, Feb 24th at 3pm until Sunday, Feb. 26th at 12N
• Where: Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch, 19985 S. Doc Holiday Rd, Yucca, AZ 86438 http://www.stgr.com/
• Cost: $175.00 for weekend, which includes 2 nights lodging, meals and all materials
• Balance: Must be paid in full no later than Jan. 15TH, 2012
• Checks: Please make checks payable to: "A Journey to JOY," and mailed to:

"A Journey to JOY"

Attn.: Debbie

P.O. Box 980, LHC, AZ 86405

Questions: please contact Joyce Floyd - texaslady@rraz.net

Registration forms are available at the weekly meetings or email us and we will gladly email or mail you the forms... Remember, space is limited so reserve your spot now...

We are grateful that each and every mom participating in this weekend agrees to take part in all the events planned, including the presentation by our special guest and the Candlelight Ceremony, so that together we can continue on our journey....

Unanimously we agree this is a great spot for rest & relaxation, but this wonderful spot is chosen for our annual retreat, not as a spa weekend, but a special place of healing for moms wanting to partake in all that is offered to help them on their special journey to joy..

Announcement: National Survivors of Suicide Day & Heartbeat

For those of you who have lost a child or any family member or friend by suicide, we want to be sure you are aware of HEARTBEAT, a support group that meets the 2nd Wednesday of every momth in Lake Havasu City and the 2nd Tuesday of every month in Kingman (details below)...

In addition to these meetings, they have a special event coming up this Saturday, November 19th, 2011, which is the 13th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day, which will be held at Cavalry Baptist Church... and as always, if you know of other parents who might find these helpful, please be sure to pass this along to them...

HEARTBEAT/LAKE HAVASU CITY
Meets: LHC Community Center, Room 152
100 Park Ave., LHC
2nd Wednesday of every month, 7-8:30pm ~ October – April

HEARTBEAT/KINGMAN
Meets: First Southern Baptist Church

3120 Hualapai Mountain Road-Kingman
2nd Tuesday of every month, 7-8:30pm ~ October – April

For more information about the bi-monthly meetings or the upcoming 12th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day, Call: Judy or Dan at (928) 854-0113 OR (928) 208-0129 or email them at jdhoppes@frontiernet.net

13th ANNUAL NATIONAL SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE DAY
November 19, 2011
10:30am-3pm (Lunch provided)
11am: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Telecast

Presented By: Heartbeat of Lake Havasu

Location: Calvary Baptist Church 1605 McCulloch Blvd S Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
Fee: None (Donations accepted)
A Memory Board will be available if you would like to bring a picture of your loved one. Please include name, birthdate and date of loss. The picture will be returned to you at the end of the day.

NATIONAL SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE DAY

Every person who dies by suicide leaves behind survivors—loved ones left shocked, grieving and struggling to understand and cope with their heartbreaking loss. Many survivors feel isolated and alone, wondering if anyone understands their pain.

In 1999, United States Senator Harry Reid, a survivor of his own father’s suicide, brought the challenge of coping with suicide loss into the national spotlight by introducing Senate Resolution 99, which declared the Saturday before Thanksgiving “National Survivors of Suicide Day.”

Each year on National Survivors of Suicide Day, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reaches out to survivors through local survivor conferences held simultaneously in communities throughout the world, which are all linked by a live broadcast. This unique network of healing conferences connects survivors within their own communities and across the globe. For many, National Survivors of Suicide Day is the first time they’ve ever met anyone else who has lost someone to suicide.

The broadcast includes a blend of emotional support and information about resources for healing. “Veteran” survivors and mental health professionals address the questions that so many survivors face: Why did this happen? How do I cope? Where can I find support? Since many survivors also find it helpful to understand something about the science of suicide prevention and bereavement, the program also includes a brief presentation of research highlights by mental health professionals.

HEARTBEAT is a member of the following (websites listed):
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, A national research organization,
http://www.afsp.org/

The American Association of Suicidology, A national organization dedicated to the study and reduction of human self-destruction. http://www.suicidology.org/

and

Suicide Prevention Action Network http://www.spanusa.org/

Reminder-This weeks Meeting-Thursday, Nov. 17th

Our meeting this coming Thursday, November 17th, will be a little different - it will be a "Brown Bag Brunch" as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.

We want to remind all moms attending this weeks meeting, 10am-12N, to each bring a "brown bag lunch/brunch and drink" and we will meet in our usual rooms, #153 & #154 at the Lake Havasu City Aquatic center.

This meeting will be more casual than usual, as we enjoy each other's company and our "brunch" visiting and sharing memories of our children. We would encourage everyone attending to bring pictures, a scrap book, memory book, a story, etc. to share about their children.

As always, if you know of a bereaved mom or grandmother, who might benefit from our meeting, please feel free to invite them and bring them with you and always feel free to share our Group/Blog Newsletter with them..

Our Weekly Meetings Begin Thursday, Oct 27th, 2012-10am

We want to remind all of our moms in Lake Havasu City, that our weekly meetings will resume this Thursday morning, October 27th 10am-12N at the LHC Aquatic Center in Rooms #153 & 154.

We look forward to seeing you all and as always ask that if you know of one of our members who does not have email or a newly bereaved mom or grandmother who might benefit from our group, please invite them to join us.

For those of our members who have not yet arrived in Lake Havasu, we wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you when you return...

Reminder - it's time to turn in those registrations & monies for our 5th Annual - 2012 Retreat, “Circle of Love, Circle of Life, Circle of Friendship” for Bereaved Moms and Grandmothers:

• Dates: Friday-Sunday, Feb 24th-26th, 2012
• Where: StageCoach Trails Ranch in Yucca, AZ
• Cost: $175, includes lodging for the two nights/three days, dinner Friday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast Sunday morning & all materials.

Registration forms will be available at our meeting (or email me and I will gladly you send you the forms).

We hope to reach all of our moms, so please feel free to pass the word about our meetings and the upcoming retreat...

Special note:
Joyce wants to thank each of you again for your tremendous support and understanding and for respecting her privacy since Don's passing on September 5th; sadly we all know too well how difficult these first few weeks and months are and I'd ask that you continue to keep Joyce and her family in your prayers that God will give them the strength they need now and in the coming months...

APRIL SHOWERS

~Written by Beverly Mangum, TCF, Tri-County WV

And the rains came…they ceased, and they came again. The little memory I have of the time just after our son was killed is mostly that I thought I would never stop crying. There was no control and that would frustrate me, and I’d cry that much harder. My eyes were so swollen I had to ice them to see, and the crying, coupled with the inability to eat, dehydrated my body.

I could tell my crying only upset those around me, so I learned to cry when I was alone. Then I was able to take deep breaths and control some of the tears only to get a headache with my heartache. Gradually the crying eased up. It’s been a few months since I’ve had a really hard sit-down-and-sob crying spell. We try so hard to be strong and pent the emotions up, and then ‘wham-o’, the big one strikes. It is exhausting, but I think the release can be good.

At last month’s meeting we had a new Mother – the word “fresh” kept coming up as we each tried to console her. It was “fresh” for her – her son was killed the month prior. Her presence and emotions brought back for each of us those first months. The anger, the denial, the unanswered questions, the tears – none of us would want to relive those days again, but we all did with her at that meeting. No one can tell you that you’ll be just wonderful again, but you will slowly get better. The fact that this “fresh” Mother and the others who continue to come to the meetings was a sign of strength.

It takes a strong brave soul to admit that she could use some HELP. The person that reaches out for comfort is the one that will mend. We are not crazy, we have not done anything wrong, and we are not being punished. The death of a child – no matter what age, no matter what cause – is the hardest thing to happen to a parent, and to seek compassion and support is the healthiest thing we can do for ourselves. We have been there, we know what you feel, and we understand, and we do care – that’s why we’re called The Compassionate Friends!

One of the subjects we discussed was the things that pop up out of the blue that bring on an emotional reaction. A son, a daughter, a situation, a similar looking person or expression, a TV show, a word – it’s like a bomb dropped on your head! It hits hard – when you least expect it – and it hurts. Even when the death of a parent, relative, friend or someone we don’t even know occurs – it all comes back again. As one Mother so well said – you take each moment as you go along and to the best that you can.

There are days I feel I’ve gained or done nothing, and there are days I actually make some headway. I may not always do as much as I did before, but when I have a good day, I try to make the most of it. I don’t know how much earthly time I have left, but I’m not going to let it go to waste. It’s not how much time we have left, but the quality of the time given to us. No one will make it for us – we must do that on our own.

Our meeting this week, Thurs., Feb 10th, will be held at Mohave Community College

Just a quick reminder, that our meeting this Thursday, February 10th will be held at Mohave Community College, 1977 West Acoma Boulevard, LHC in Room#818.

Because of Spring Frenzy, our Rooms LHC Aquatic Community Center will NOT be available, so for this one week, we will be meeting at the Mohave Community College Campus, in Bldg. #800, Room #818 from 10 until Noon.

The focus of our February 10th meeting will be: "Be Gentle With Yourself While Grieving" and it will be another fun and enjoyable meeting. Rita Stone, a Therapeutic Massage Therapist who lives here in the winter, will be leading the Moms in hand massages, and shoulder and neck massages. Sound fun? please attend.

Any questions call: Joyce Floyd @ 453-7940

Reminders about February Meetings...

Reminders about our first two meetings in February - February 3rd & 10th - As always we will begin promptly at 10AM.

Thursday, 2/03 will be a FUN "Meet and Eat" Session in our normal room at the LHC Aquatic Community Center, rather than a regular meeting. We want to remind Journey Moms to bring a brown bag lunch with whatever they want to eat and drink.

Thursday 2/10 - our meeting will be held at Mohave Community College-Room #818. Because of Spring Frenzy, our Rooms LHC Aquatic Community Center will NOT be available, so for this one week, we will be meeting at the Mohave Community College Campus, in Bldg. #800, Room #818 from 10 until Noon.  The focus of our February 10th meeting will be: "Be Gentle With Yourself While Grieving" and it will be another fun and enjoyable meeting. Rita Stone, a Therapeutic Massage Therapist who lives here in the winter, will be leading the Moms in hand massages, and shoulder and neck massages. Sound fun? please attend. Any questions call: Joyce Floyd @ 453-7940