A Personal Note...
Dear Compassionate Friends,
It was 3 years in July that we lost our son Leonard at the age of 23. Our lives were changed forever that day. We not only grieve the past but also the future. Where would he be and what would he be doing with his life by now. Leonard loved children and they loved him. Often at family gatherings a group of children would be around him. We grieve the fact that our grandchildren will never know their "Uncle Lenny". Holidays and family gatherings are difficult because his sunny smile and hearty laugh are absent. Leonard was such a giving person and always going the second mile for people. We thank our Compassionate Friends for the love and support we have felt from each of you. We are on this journey of grief together. May each of you feel God's loving arms around you during your most difficult days. 
                                                                      ~ Blessings to All, Anna Yoder (Leonard's Mom)

THANK YOU TO THE UNITED WAY
Through the generous donations of many, our Compassionate Friends group has again been the recipient of financial help from the United Way of West Central Minnesota. These funds help defray the costs of reaching out to families.  We thank everyone for their generosity.

TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
Coming to the first meeting is the hardest, but you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Try not to judge your first meeting as to whether or not the Compassionate Friends will work for you. At the next meeting you may find just the right person or just the right words said that will help you in your grief work.

2009 Angel of Hope Donantions
- Bob & Betty Hermann
- Delaino & Suzanne Schafer
- Todd & Sara Heieie
- Roxy Stefffl
- Ron & Kathy Garner
- Jacque Collins
- Roxy and Mike Steffl

2009 Angel of Hope Recent Brick Requests
- Terry & Becky Overlander for their daughter Mckenzie Jo
- John & Nancy Cosco for their son Justin
- Hubert & Linda Fixsen as a gift for the parents of David Erikson
- Tony & Bernadette Ziller for their daughter Danette Wierschem
- Lucille Pitzen for her son Joseph
- Bob & Toni Schmidt for their son David
- Dennis & Mary Lou Chappell as a gift for Douglas & Lucille Woodford in Memory of Heidi and Matthew
- Kelvin and Cindy Torkelson in memory of their son Dustin.
- Marlene Walstrom for her son Mark Walstrom
- David and Linda Sorum for their son Daniel
- Jim and Jan Bothun for their daughter Megan
- Marcus and Anna Yoder for their son Leonard
- Paul and Gail Magnuson for their daughter Beth Magnuson Tinklenberg
- Marie Vangen and Ronald Louks for their son Ronnie Louks Jr. (New)
- Jodi and Denise Johnson and Dorie Larsen for their son and nephew Dusin L. Johnson (New)
- Elgin and Pat Skluzacek for their son Bill Skluzacek (New)
- Lois, Tom, Ben and Suzie Flaig as a gift to Vernon and Marge Flaig for their son Richard M. Flaig (New)
- Don and Mary Schroeder for their son Jon Schroeder (New)
- LuVern and Jeanne Gaffney for their son Sheldon Gaffney (New)

LOVE GIFTS
The Compassionate Friends is a non-profit organization. We have no local dues or fees. We function with the help of our Love gifts. Love gifts are monies given in memory of a child by parents, siblings, grandparents, or other relatives, as well as friends and caring individuals who wish to assist with the work of TCF. These gifts enable us to continue to reach out to those who are newly bereaved in our community through brochures and newsletters. All donations are tax deductible. Donations for Love Gifts can be mailed to: Kay McLane | 613 Lakeland Drive SE | Willmar, MN 56201.
- Lac Qui Parle Broadcasting Company, Inc. in memory of Mackenzie Jo Overlander, daughter of Terry and Becky Overlander.
- Danielson Township of Meeker County United Way

Memorial Love Gifts Received
The Compassionate Friends is a non-profit organization. We have no local dues or fees. We function with the help of our love gifts. Love gifts are given in memory of a child by parents, siblings, grandparents, or other relatives, as well as friends and caring individuals who wish to assist with the work of TCF. These gifts enable us to continue to reach out to those who are newly bereaved in our community through brochures and newsletters. All donations are tax deductible. Donations for Love Gifts can be mailed to:
Kay McLane | 613 Lakeland Drive SE | Willmar, MN 56201.

2009 Love Gift Donations
- Todd & Sara Heieie
- John & Nancy Cosco
- Kathy Johnson
- Don & Ann Orth
- Lois Swenson
- Harold & Mary Mielke
- The Meagher Family
- Nancy Thorp
- Jenny Englekist
- Don & Linda Schumacher
- Lucille Pitzen
- Linda Radabaugh
- Jeff & Debra Ziller
- Bob & Betty Herman
- Neil "Alex" & Joyce Nyhus
- Lillian Lesmeister
- Charles and Sharon Olson
- Jo Debrucker
- Gene and Ruth Templer
- Donn and Alonah Lorenz
- Marlene Walstrom for her children Mark Walstrom and Denise Paulsrud (New)
- Harold and Mary Mielke for providing the postage (last two years) to mail our newsletters.  This love gift was given in memory of their son Harold III "Trae". (New)

Compassionate Friends Member Memorial Donations
- In memory of Rich Flaig
- In memory of Marly McLane

                   Thanksgiving Prayer

I’m grateful this Thanksgiving
That my grief is not so new,
Last year it was so painful to
Think of losing you.
Death can’t claim my love for you
Tho we are far apart,
Sweet memories will always be
Engraved upon my heart.
Time can never bring you back
But it can help me be,
Thankful for the years of joy
You brought our family.
To all the parents with grief so new
I share your loss and sorrow,
I pray you find with faith and time
The blessings of each tomorrow.

~ Charlotte Irick, TCF of Idaho Falls, ID

It’s okay
to cry,
to not cry,
to feel guilty,
to not feel guilty,
to be angry,
to stop being angry,
to seek answers,
to stop seeking answers,
to feel responsible,
to feel sorry for yourself,
to be mad at your child,
to feel misunderstood,
to reach out for help,
to let out your pain,
to care about what other think,
to not care what others think,
to let go of your child’s death,
to embrace your child’s life,
to lose your expectations,
to grieve any way you want,
to give yourself a break,
to believe in signs,
to stop hating,
to forgive,
to smile without guilt,
to find joy,
to heal,
to begin to live again,
to laugh,
to love yourself,
It’s okay; it’s all okay.
~ Rob Anderson