The Power of Love

Charis, Niamh and I had a great time at yet another fireworks display with The Crocus Group this evening! after enjoying the spectacle of yet more fire works the girls enjoyed a hot chocolate, munchies and a lay with this lass whom Charis dotes on!

The crocus flower is indicative of love, being linked to Valentinus, a 3rd century Roman physician who was also a practicing Christian priest and prayed for his patients' healing. Under the reign of Claudius II Christianity was not permitted so Valentinus was arrested and sentenced to death.

Just before his execution, Valentinus handed the jailor a note for the jailor's blind girl, whom Valentinus had been attending as physician. In the note, he had wrapped a yellow crocus, the source of one of his healing herbs, saffron. As the jailor's blind daughter opened the note, her sight was restored and the first flower she saw was the yellow crocus which rivals the sun in its brightness. On the note, the physician had penned the following message:
~From your Valentine.~ It was the physician's last message and the world's first valentine. The day was February 14, 270 AD.

The Crocus Group had its beginnings at a Special Service of Remembering at Raigmore Hospital Chapel in November 1995. By 1999 the Crocus Child Bereavement Group was formed by professionals who identified that there was little support available for bereaved children in the Highlands.

In August 2002, the Crocus Child Bereavement Support Service took on a part time child bereavement support co-ordinator. They aim to provide a "Day to Remember" several times a year which allows children to meet together and talk about their experiences and the person who has died. They also ~

Provide the child with an opportunity to meet other bereaved children
Give the child the opportunity to accept the reality of death
Educate about the grief process
Acknowledge the different feelings which children may experience
Facilitate the child's understanding about what has happened.

We are indebted to The Crocus Group, its coordinator Debbie and the volunteers who run it as it really has helped Charis process the loss of her sister, Grandpa, Aunt and even her cat! At the end of Octber she enjoyed a weekend away with The Crocus Club and I have no doubt that it will have been a memorable experience she will benefit from and remember for the rest of her life!