June 2021 - The White Plains Chapter of TCF

As the weather warms up, with intermittent rains giving way to more sunshine and humidity, we allow ourselves to bask in the warmth of rays; rays of hope, of friendship, and possibilities for ourselves and our families. We can only try our best to imagine them, and then actualize them.

In May, we held our first in-person meeting at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, and those who participated were fully vaccinated, wore masks, had temperatures taken, and sat in socially distanced seats. This will be the case for the June meeting, as we, once again, send out invitation emails - our best effort to keep covid 19 out of our realm. We will take this month by month, as more and more community members get vaccinated, and covid numbers are brought down to the lowest rate possible.

We will also continue with our monthly Zoom gatherings, and you are encouraged to reach out to reserve a spot for one in the near future. Email me at dawncrista@gmail.com or call me: (914) 715-8338. Be sure to leave your name, the nature of your loss and I will call you right back.

We are inching back to something that resembles the lives we led before, but as we always say to one another, our lives will never be the same since the passing of our child, our sibling, or our grandchild. Please take good care of yourselves; self-care and self-kindness are extremely important.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki - Chapter Leader (and Kaitlyn's Mom) 🦋

May 2021 - The White Plains Chapter of TCF

As the season of spring continues to provide views of beauty, renewal and abiding hope, we look for ways to hold ourselves up. Gardening, exercising, reaching out to friends and neighbors, dining out again at favorite eateries and soaking in the lovely surroundings ...all these activities and more give us reasons to, hopefully, smile. Many are getting the vaccine, and perhaps you are among them. While we are still viewing it to be unwise to meet in person in the unrestricted way we traditionally did before, we are holding our first-Thursday-of-the-month meeting for the month of May, at The White Plains Presbyterian Church in White Plains, by limited invitation, in order to 'test the waters'. In candid discussions with the church, we have been navigating the steps - and protocols - necessary to create the safest environment for our meeting. Several rules have been mandated by the church, which we are obligated to follow. I will report on the degree of success we're able to achieve. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and stay connected to the people who have shown the most care for you and your family. It's important that we lift each other up, as well as caring for ourselves, the best we can. We will continue holding Zoom meetings for those who are interested, so please contact me at dawncrista@gmail.com if you'd like to participate. Also, if you'd like me to call you, either email me at the above address, or leave a detailed message on our chapter phone line. (914) 381-3389. I would be glad to return your call so that we could talk soon.

In Friendship, always,

Dawn Moriwaki (chapter leader - Kaitlyn's Mom)

April 2021 - The White Plains Chapter of TCF

I want to extend lovely wishes for a springtime of great hope and healing renewal. Due to the ongoing covid 19 pandemic restrictions, and despite the fact that many are getting the vaccine, we are still viewing it to be unwise to meet in person for our first-Thursday-of-the-month meetings at The White Plains Presbyterian Church in White Plains. I am in the process of having discussions with the church, as we navigate the steps - and protocols - necessary to create the safest foundation for our next 'in-person' meeting. Please take good care of yourselves in the best ways that you know how. Stay connected to the people who have shown the most care and concern for you and your family. It's important that we try everyday, to lift each other up. It just takes a small gesture to let someone know that you care. We are holding Zoom meetings for those who are interested, so please contact me at dawncrista@gmail.com if you'd like to participate. Also, if you'd like me to call you, either email me at the above address, or leave a detailed message on our chapter phone line. (914) 381-3389. I would be glad to return your call so that we could talk soon.

In Friendship, with hope abiding,

Dawn Moriwaki - Chapter Leader (and Kaitlyn's Mom) 🦋

March 2021 - The White Plains Chapter of TCF

In view of the restrictions in place, due to the covid 19 pandemic circumstances, we are still viewing it to be unwise to meet in person for our first-Thursday-of-the-month meetings at The White Plains Presbyterian Church in White Plains. Please take good care of yourselves in the best ways that you know how. Stay connected to the people who have shown the most care and concern for you and your family. It's important that efforts are made, each day, to lift one another up, maintaining hope for all our futures. We are holding Zoom meetings for those who are interested, so please contact me at dawncrista@gmail.com if you'd like to participate. Also, if you'd like me to call you, either email me at the above address, or leave a detailed message on our chapter phone line. (914) 381-3389. I will be sure to return your call so that we may talk soon.

In Friendship, with hope abiding,

Dawn Moriwaki - Chapter Leader (and Kaitlyn's Mom) 🦋

February 2021 - The White Plains Chapter of TCF

In light of the continued and unfortunate restrictions, due to the pandemic, we are still unable to safely meet in person for our first-Thursday-of-the-month meetings at The White Plains Presbyterian Church in White Plains. Please take good care of yourselves in the best ways that you know how. Stay connected to the people who have shown the most care and concern for your circumstances. It's important that we do what we can to lift one another up, maintaining hope for our futures. We are holding Zoom meetings for those who are interested, so please contact me at dawncrista@gmail.com if you'd like to participate. Also, if you'd like me to call you, either email me at the above address, or leave a detailed message on our chapter phone line. (914) 381-3389. I will be sure to return your call so that we may talk.

In heartfelt friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki - Chapter Leader (and Kaitlyn's Mom) 🦋

January 2021 - The White Plains Chapter of TCF

The new year is just a couple of days away, and we have such high hopes for a brighter year ahead. Dealing with our own losses has been made so much more difficult with the pandemic, as fears have been very real with Covid 19 impacting our communities, our friends, our work colleagues and for so many of us, our own families. It has meant the loss of so many lives and that is the most profoundly sorrowful tragedy of all. It has brought countless families to their knees with devastating deaths, coronavirus complications, and the stress of additional losses; losses of jobs, shutdowns of businesses that can't withstand the heavy financial burdens, layoffs and all the rest. Children - along with their parents - are facing debilitating setbacks with school closures and the restrictive environment of remote teaching. This nation and our own communities continue to struggle to stay afloat, to stay connected and to maintain something close to economic and emotional stability.

In light of all of this, and the continued - and deeply unfortunate - restrictions, we are still unable to safely meet in person for our first-Thursday-of-the-month meetings. Please take good care of yourselves in the best ways that you know how. Stay connected to the people who have shown the most care and concern for your circumstances. We are holding Zoom meetings for those who are interested, so please contact me at dawncrista@gmail.com if you'd like to participate in a meeting remotely, such as our Zoom. Also, if you'd like me to call you, either email me at the above address, or leave a detailed message on our chapter phone line. (914) 381-3389. I will be sure to return your call so that we may talk.

Warmly,

Dawn Moriwaki - Chapter Leader (and Kaitlyn's Mom) ❤️

December 2020 Update

Our TCF White Plains Chapter is still unable to meet in person at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, on the first Thursday of the month, due to the coronavirus. There have been upticks in Covid 19 cases, in some areas closeby, including neighboring school districts and communities. In this month of December, we will not be able to meet in person. We must abide by continued CDC guidelines, which greatly cautions gatherings of people in limited indoor spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is unfortunate, as we greatly value our meeting space and the interaction of our members, but we must be patient and maintain daily hope, knowing life will resume in the ways we know....and perhaps, in ways that are new and different. We continue to take this on a month-by-month basis.

We hope that you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very uncertain time. It's very important to stay connected with friends and family members. A quick phone call, a text or email, or a card of comfort can do wonders for someone else who is struggling. If you'd like to talk, please call our chapter phone line - (914) 381-3389 -and leave a message. Please also call if, as a bereaved parent, sibling or grandparent, you'd like to be part of a Zoom (remote) meeting in the near future. Leave your name, your phone number and/or email and the nature of your loss. Your call will be returned within a few days.

Please take care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki - Chapter Leader (and Kaitlyn's Mom)

November 2020 Update

Our TCF White Plains Chapter is still in a 'holding pattern' as far as meeting in person at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, on the first Thursday of each month. There have been upticks in Covid 19 cases, in some areas closeby, including neighboring school districts and communities. In this month of November, we will not be able to meet in person. We must abide by continued CDC guidelines, which greatly cautions gatherings of people in limited indoor spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is unfortunate, as we greatly value our meeting space and the interaction of our members, but we must be patient and maintain daily hope, knowing life will resume in the ways we know....and perhaps, in ways that are new and different. We continue to take this on a month-by-month basis.

We hope that you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very uncertain time. It's very important to stay connected with friends and family members. A quick phone call, a text or email, or a card of comfort can do wonders for someone else who is struggling. If you'd like to talk, please call our chapter phone line - (914) 381-3389 -and leave a message. Please also call if, as a bereaved parent, sibling or grandparent, you'd like to be part of a Zoom (remote) meeting in the near future. Leave your name, your phone number and/or email and the nature of your loss. Your call will be returned within a few days.

Please take care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki - Chapter Leader (and Kaitlyn's Mom)

October 2020 Update

Our TCF White Plains Chapter is still in a 'holding pattern' as far as meeting in person at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, on the first Thursday of each month. In this month of October we will not be able to meet in person. We must abide by continued serious guidelines, which greatly cautions gatherings of people in limited indoor spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is unfortunate, as we greatly value our meeting space and the interaction of our members, but we must be patient and maintain daily hope, knowing life will resume in the ways we know....and perhaps, in ways that are new and different. We continue to take this on a month-by-month basis.

We hope that you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very uncertain time. It's very important to stay connected with friends and family members. A quick phone call, a text or email, or a card of comfort can do wonders for someone else who is struggling. If you'd like to talk, please call our chapter phone line - (914) 381-3389 -and leave a message. Please also call if, as a bereaved parent, sibling or grandparent, you'd like to be part of a Zoom (remote) meeting in the near future. Leave your name, your phone number and/or email and the nature of your loss. Your call will be returned within a few days.

Please take care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

With compassionate thoughts,

Dawn Moriwaki (Chapter leader)

UPDATE for September Meeting

Our TCF White Plains Chapter is still in a 'holding pattern' as far as meeting in person at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, on the first Thursday of each month. In this month of September we will not be able to meet in person. We must abide by continued serious guidelines, which greatly cautions gatherings of people in limited indoor spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is unfortunate, as we greatly value our meeting space and the interaction of our members, but we must be patient and maintain daily hope, knowing life will resume in the ways we know....and perhaps, in ways that are new and different. We continue to take this on a month-by-month basis.

You are being held in heartfelt thoughts, hoping you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very uncertain time. Now is the time to stay connected with friends and family members. A quick phone call, a text or email, or a card of comfort can do wonders for someone else who is struggling. If you'd like to talk, please call our chapter phone line and leave a message. Please also call if, as a bereaved parent, sibling or grandparent, you'd like to be part of a Zoom (remote) meeting in the near future. Leave your name, your phone number and/or email and the nature of your loss. Your call will be returned within a couple of days.

Please take care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

With compassionate thoughts,

Dawn Moriwaki (Chapter Leader)

OUR July 2nd, 2020 MEETING

We at TCF White Plains Chapter, are still in a 'holding pattern' in terms of having conventional meetings on the first Thursday of each month, and this holds true for our July 2nd meeting. We must abide by continued restrictions, which prohibits gatherings of people in limited spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as knowing that the church where we hold our meetings, is still closed to all activities. I regret this, as we greatly value our meeting space and our members, but we must be patient and maintain daily hope, knowing life will resume in the ways we know....and perhaps, in ways that are new and different. We continue to take this on a month-by-month basis. We are currently awaiting updates from the White Plains Presbyterian Church.

I am thinking about all of you, and hoping you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very uncertain time in our lives. Now is the time to stay connected with friends and family members. A quick phone call, a text or email, or a card of comfort can do wonders for someone else who is struggling. If you'd like to talk, please call our chapter phone line, leave a message and I promise to return your call.  

Please take good care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki (Chapter Leader)

OUR JUNE 4th, 2020 MEETING

We will not be able to hold our traditional meeting on Thursday, June 4th,  because of the continued restrictions, which prohibits gatherings of people in limited spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic. We also know that the church where we hold our meetings, is still closed to all activities. I regret that this is our new reality, but we must take one day at a time, with patience and our best efforts to maintain daily hope, knowing life will resume in the ways we know....in time. We will have to take this on a month-by-month basis.

Please know that I am thinking about all of you, and hoping you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very uncertain time in our lives. Now is the time to stay connected on a regular basis with good friends, family members and caring neighbors and co-workers. A quick phone call, a comforting text or email, or a notecard of reassurance in the mail can do wonders for someone else who is struggling. If you'd like to talk for awhile with me, my home phone is: (914) 834-0185. Leave me a message and I promise to call back. 

Please take good care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki (Chapter Leader)

OUR May 7th, 2020 MEETING

We will not be able to hold our meeting today, May 7th, because of the continued 'shelter-in-place', which prohibits gatherings of people in limited spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the church where we hold our meetings, is closed to all activities. 

I regret that this is the case and please know that, as a fellow bereaved parent, I am thinking about all of you; hoping you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very challenging time.

Please take good care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki (Chapter Leader)

OUR APRIL 2nd, 2020 MEETING

We will not be able to hold our traditional meeting on Thursday, April 2nd, because of Gov. Cuomo's recent lockdown, which prohibits gatherings of people in limited spaces, due to the coronavirus pandemic. We also know that the church where we hold our meetings, is closed to all activities. I regret that this is our new reality, but we must take one day at a time, with patience and our best efforts to maintain daily hope, knowing life will resume in the ways we know....in time. We will have to take this on a month-by-month basis.

Please know that I am thinking about all of you, and hoping you are doing what you can to soothe, sustain and support yourselves during this very uncertain time in our lives. Now is the time to stay connected on a regular basis with good friends, family members and caring neighbors and co-workers. A quick phone call, a comforting text or email, or a notecard of reassurance in the mail can do wonders for someone else who is struggling. If you'd like to talk for awhile with me, my home phone is: (914) 834-0185. Leave me a message and I promise to call back. 

Please take good care. The children, siblings & grandchildren we have lost would want that for us, with the 'forever love' they carry for us, as we will forever carry them in our hearts.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki (Chapter Leader)

APRIL 2019 MEETING

Our TCF White Plains Chapter meeting for the month of April, will take place this Thursday at The White Plains Presbyterian Church; address is 39 North Broadway in White Plains, New York. (Parking is in parking lot in back of church, accessed from Barker, a side street off Broadway. Enter back of church from last set of red double doors on the far left, noticing the laminated TCF sign.) Meeting begins at 7:00pm and is an open forum setting for folks who have lost a child, a sibling or a grandchild. Any additional questions, please email leader, Dawn Moriwaki at dawncrista@gmail.com

Annual Worldwide TCF Candle Lighting

The White Plains Chapter of The Compassionate Friends is participating in the TCF Worldwide Candle Lighting Event, this Sunday, Dec. 13th, at the home of Lewis and Susan Singer at 216 Millwood Road in Chappaqua, New York.  The proceedings will begin at 7:00pm, so plan to arrive at least a half hour earlier.  We will join together with members from the Bronx Chapter of TCF, as we honor the children, grandchildren and siblings who have been lost to us. 

Plan to bring a dish – whether savory or sweet – to share with the members, and consider preparing something that your child loved, or perhaps, loved preparing himself or herself.

Please call the phone line at (914) 381-3389, should you have any questions or a need for directions in getting there.  We hope to see you there.

Rescheduled March Meeting

We will hold our rescheduled March meeting this Thursday, March 12th at our usual time and place. Please join us. If you have any questions, call our chapter phone line at (914) 381-3389.

AFTER MUCH THOUGHT -- TCF MEETING CANCELLED TONIGHT

Hello Friends,
 

After much thoughtful consideration, and in light of continuous snow that has fallen all morning long and just ceased here in Larchmont within the last hour, I've made the decision to cancel this evening's meeting.  I apologize to those who had heartfelt feelings of wanting to venture out this evening, brave the unpredictability of the roads in order to attend, but I think it's best that we cancel for tonight.  

I tried reaching out several times to the church office, with no one picking up, including calling the minister himself, with no answer.  I left detailed messages, inquiring about the church parking lot being plowed, about nearby roads, and also asking if we could have next Thursday as a substitute date of meeting.  With no one returning the calls, I can't give you a definitive answer on the next Thursday.  I will email you all when I have that updated information.  I promise.

I feel that many roads leading to the church will be a mess and it's supposed to get colder this evening, which will bring a hazardous iciness to your travels.  We need to be safe....all of us.

I will be in touch.  Please pass this along to anyone you think might need to know.

In Friendship,

Dawn Moriwaki

(Kaitlyn's Mom)

JANUARY 2015 MEETING: Change in Date

Due to the fact that the first Thursday in January falls on New Year's Day, an alternate date of January 8th, also Thursday, has been secured at our same location of the White Plains Presbyterian Church.

Our meeting will begin at its usual 7:00pm time, and our format will be the same.  Refreshments will be available, and we encourage you to bring/share a snack or beverage of your own.  

Candle Lighting Memorial on Sunday, December 14th

TCF’s Worldwide Candle Lighting ceremony will be held this year on Sunday, Dec. 14th, at 7pm. This event occurs  around the globe, as friends and family members light candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age and from any cause (be sure to arrive half an hour earlier).  Candles are lit in a synchronized fashion, creating a virtual wave of light.  This important tradition commemorates the memories of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious and political boundaries.  This evening allows us to read a special passage or poem,  play a favorite song, or express something meaningful about our children, who have gone too soon.  We welcome you to join us for this meaningful event.  Recorded and live music will be a special feature.

Once again, Susan and Lewis Singer, parents of beloved Alex Harry, have hospitably offered to open their home to us to participate in the candle lighting ceremony.  We welcome you to bring a special photo or memento to share. Music will be accompanying our time together. A detailed reminder will go out in email form (please call 381-3389 if email’s not an option), with directions to the Singer home, as well as parking tips.  Dinner will be potluck style, so we’ll also advise on dish contributions.  We’re grateful to the Singers for their generosity in having us in their home, so we may remember all our kids, siblings, and grandkids.