December 12 is a date that Launceston’s Lisa Bird dreads every year.
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On this day in 2008, her 18-year-old son Joshua Gough was tragically killed in a car accident.
Now, nine years on she said the unimaginable pain of losing a child never goes away.
“It doesn’t ever get easier,” she said.
“Even now, nine years later I still find myself adjusting to life without Joshua.
“I never know how I am going to feel on the day.
“But I do plan on finishing with a few bourbons, because that was always Joshua’s drink of choice.”
Ms Bird has found a new sense of purpose as the founder of Bittersweet, a support group for bereaved parents that currently has more than 450 members.
She said sometimes all people need is someone to talk to.
"It is a great form of companionship," she said.
"It has already gone beyond my expectation.
"There are a lot of people out there who have gone through this and who are feeling the same way who just want to talk to someone.”
On Monday the group welcomed the installation of a chair at Newstead Reserve, designed to offer people who are grieving a place to reflect.
Funded by the City of Launceston Lions Club, this is the second chair to be installed for the Bittersweet group, with the first located at Arbour Park.
Lions Club president Sue Moir said the chair was a very worthy cause and something the club was proud to support.
“Our club considered this an extremely worthwhile project as it provides a place of reflection for bereaved parents, to remember their lost one, regardless of age or cause of death.
“Bittersweet being both pleasant and painful, a bittersweet memory for all bereaved parents.”
The Lions Club contributed $1500 to have the chair installed, with the support of the City of Launceston.
Bittersweet is now fundraising for a third chair to support bereaved siblings, with a high tea planned for May 12, the day before Mother’s Day.