THESE women have experienced the unthinkable but are helping others deal with loss and grief.
They are members of The Compassionate Friends NSW, a support group for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents.
Valda Hamilton, of Engadine, founded the Miranda chapter after losing her daughter Jean, 23, in 1988.
Jean was working in Tonga as a volunteer teacher when she went out windsurfing, was carried out to sea and was never found.
Miranda group leader, Gail Terrey, of Sans Souci, lost her youngest son Ben, 16, in 2005, after he fell from Como Bridge.
She said The Compassionate Friends saved her life. "Grief is just so lonely but at least with the members of the group there's a place to go and talk about how you're feeling," Mrs Terrey said. "Everyone there is so loving and compassionate and non-judgmental.
"There's nothing you can say that's going to fix it and make it better but just knowing someone is there for you is just so comforting."
NSW chairwoman Jenny Wandel, and international founder Anglican priest Canon Simon Stephens attended an informal gathering of members on Monday at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre at Gymea.
Ms Wandel joined the organisation after her son died from illness in 2000 at 29. "I was sitting on a train going to a ski resort with my dark glasses on and tears streaming down my face," Ms Wandel said. "I thought: 'This is ridiculous, I've got to do something.' It's very scary the first time walking into a group on your own but they're all so down to earth and matter-of-fact. There was a time I didn't care if I lived or died."
The Miranda chapter meets at Calvary Hospital conference centre most second Tuesdays of the month at 7.30pm.
It is open to people from St George and Sutherland Shire. Newcomers are encouraged to call ahead of time to meet one on one.
Compassionate Friends was founded in 1978 and now has 30 chapters in NSW.
"A lady I didn't know asked me about my children and I told her Ben died in an accident and she just hugged me and I think that's the best thing anyone could ever do."
Details: thecompassionatefriendsnsw.org.au or 9593 4611.
