“The strongest person in the world is a grieving mother who wakes up and keeps going every morning.” ~ Tara Watkins Anderson

Our Hope & Healing Retreat is designed to be a safe place for Alabama mothers who have suffered the loss of a child to cancer. After losing Angel, I quickly realized there wasn’t a lot out there for moms like me. I was broken and completely lost, and I had never felt more alone in my life. But I also knew that no one would ever understand how I was feeling unless they had been through it, too.

For the past several years, we have been dreaming of ways to help moms and families experiencing the loss of a child to cancer. The result — our Hope & Healing Retreat for Bereaved Moms. We have created this weekend retreat for bereaved moms to be nurtured and also show/teach them the benefits and value of self care. Our goal is to create a peaceful space by offering healing techniques, group discussions and activities, personal reflections and other methods to assist in the healing process.

Our goal is to offer retreats for bereaved moms several times a year. We would also eventually love to offer retreats for couples and families.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Group discussions: Being with other moms who have lost a child to cancer is so incredibly comforting and powerful. During the retreat, you will have an opportunity to participate in several whole group discussions. Topics will be determined based on the needs of the mothers in attendance.

Meditation and Relaxation through Yoga and other methods: Yoga is defined as a spiritual discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple mediation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation. Yoga and light stretching activities will be available in the morning, serving as a relaxing and peaceful way to start each day.

Memorial Projects: There will be several memorial projects offered throughout our time together. It is a time to reflect on and remember our angels through a tangible process, either independently or as a group.

Personal Reflection: Many of us take on numerous roles in our daily lives — wives, mothers, career women, friends, etc. — and it can be exhausting. We encourage you to take some time during the retreat for personal reflection, and to think about how your journey has impacted those daily roles.

Sharing Our Angels: As grieving mothers we can often feel alienated from the rest of the world. For most of us, we rarely get the chance to talk about our children with the outside world without getting the uncomfortable looks. Use this weekend as a platform to talk to and about them - sharing as much or as little of your journey as you feel comfortable. We will say their names, and we will honor and remember them - all while taking much needed time for yourself and your personal healing.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The January 2025 retreat has a limited space for 10 bereaved moms.

Cost for the retreat is covered by Angel’s Hope through donations and sponsorships. Moms will need to cover the cost of travel.

Retreat guests will stay in either a private, double or shared room. Your stay includes all meals and snacks during the retreat, as well as all activities offered as part of the retreat.

PAYMENT INFORMATION:

Moms will not be charged a dime for the retreat - travel is the only cost. .However, when you apply you will be asked to pay a $100 deposit. This deposit is fully returned to you upon arrival at the retreat.

Venmo is the preferred method of payment, however if you need to use a different source, please email angelshope619@gmail.com to coordinate.