FSC - Kids on the Block

Jamie is waiting for Melody to arrive so they can go to a soccer game. Jamie overhears her grandmother and aunt talking about Lauren, Jaime's mother, who has recently died. Jamie feels like no one wants to talk about it. Mel tells Jamie that she doesn't mind talking about her mom. Mel says that when her brother, Darryl died, people didn't know how to help and that they were afraid that she might start crying. Sometimes when someone dies friends don't call or come by because they don't know what to do or say. Mel's dad told her that whatever a kid feels is OK. Mel said it felt good to have friends around. It's even OK to let your head and your heart take a little break. Do you ever feel like your head and heart need a break?

Jamie

Hi, I'm Jamie, Jamie Higgins. Ryan and Ian are my brothers. I'm kind of upset right now. I was spending a lot of time with my mom. She was sick with colon cancer and she told me and my brothers that she might not live much longer. Even though we knew she might die, we were still shocked and upset when it happened. Right now I have about a hundred different feelings. I didn't know what to do when my friend Melody came by. She said it was OK for me to talk to her about my mom. I even wrote my mom a letter.

Did you ever write a letter to some one you really missed even if you didn't send it?

Melody

Hello, I'm Melody James. I'm 11 years old and I love ballet and soccer. I have four older brothers and a baby brother. It was really hard for my family when my brother Darryl died two years ago. I felt kind of numb and sad and mad and upset. What I learned to do was to take one step at a time. I still miss my brother, but the way I miss him changed. It feels good to talk about Darryl. My family sometimes tells stories about the funny things Darryl did and it helps me remember what a cool brother I have .

Do you have a favorite story about some one in your family or a friend that you miss?