What Is Goin’ On?

One of the greatest joys in life is the birth of your children, and from that moment on, your life forever changes. Your focus changes from yourself to your child. For most parents, you are able to watch your child grow up and experience all the milestones in life from your child’s first word to his first day of school to watching him get married and starting a family of his own. However, this is not always the scenerio. Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and parents outlive their children. The grief can be unbearable even with the support of your family. Sometimes, a person needs more.

I came across an organization in town that focuses on the needs of grieving families. Janet Stanley and Deegi Foskey are the co-leaders of The Compassionate Friends Organization in the Montgomery/Toombs County area. The Compassionate Friends Organization is a national non-profit support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.

In 2006, Deegi Foskey introduced Janet Stanley to Compassionate Friends while Janet was grieving the loss of her son. Deegi was attending the Warner Robbins chapter and wanted Janet to come along. Janet did not want to join the group because she felt she didn’t need the support. Finally, Deegi convinced Janet to attend the first unofficial local meeting in Mt. Vernon. Janet attended, and decided she was not going to go back. It was too hard, but Janet never missed another meeting. In December 2006 the local chapter became offcial.

The local chapter of the Compassionate Friends meet the 3rd Saturday of each month at 11:00am at the College Hill Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon.

For more information, you can contact Deegi at (478) 290-4678 or Janet at (912) 293-3807.