“Relax Rest Replenish”
Grief and Mourning have been described by Dr. Alan Wolfelt as “The Wilderness Time!” It is a place of in-between, where the world as you knew it before the death of your child no longer exists. I know because I have been on that same pathway of loss after the sudden loss of my son.
As I reflect back on this time, I remember it oh too well. I felt like my entire world had collapsed around me, and absolutely nothing made any logical sense. The terrain was scary! It was treacherous and dark, especially during those first long difficult days which turned into weeks and then months. Each step was unfamiliar because I had never walked this path before, a path that was foreign, frightening and debilitating, I couldn’t do even simple tasks like washing the dishes or making a grocery list.
In our grief, we become drained. It is a challenge to provide and care for family members who are also grieving, let alone having the energy to attend to our own daily needs. And yet, medical and social work professionals advise that it is a crucial time in the healing process for taking care of ourselves, even if only for a few moments a day in the early stages and beyond.
The Bereaved Mothers Self Care and Support Retreat has been designed to help you to escape from the Wilderness. It is a time for You to take refuge, and re-learn how to Care for and pamper your Self.
When the timing is right for you, this quiet weekend retreat with other bereaved mothers, will help you to:
- Focus on your needs
- Replenish your physical energy
- Restore your mental alertness
- Calm and sooth your soul.
And while you are here, there is ample opportunity to reflect on your personal journey so you can return home with a greater sense of inner peace and hope for the future.
Self-Care & Healing
Give yourself permission to pause from the daily demands and energy required to grieve and put on a “happy or strong face” for the rest of the world. Allow yourself to be supported by others in a peaceful, safe and nurturing environment. The rustic and relaxing rooms of this historic schoolhouse provide a comforting refuge from your everyday demands. The luscious lawns and gardens along with the surrounding forest help you remember the calming gift of Mother Nature, that sense of order that has been lost.
You will have opportunity to connect with other bereaved mothers through shared activities such as:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Aromatherapy
- Massage
- Hand and Foot Soaks
- Specialty tea time
- Delicious and healthy meals (comfort foods)
- Campfires (weather permitting)
- Outdoor Walks (weather permitting)
You will also have plenty of time to rest and relax in cozy nooks for moments of individual contemplation and reflection. Your Self Care Retreat has been designed to support your healing journey, by nurturing you in creative and unique ways. You will also create a personalized, pampering care kit unique to you and your needs to take home as a reminder of your experience.
From the moment you arrive, you will be pampered and will not have to lift a finger! No dishes to do, no floors to sweep, no taxi driving, and no phones to answer.
You deserve it …..I look forward to serving you, kimberly
Honouring our Loved Ones
Following morning Yoga and meditation, the weekend will conclude with a ceremony of love and memories honouring our journey and our children.
Join Kimberly for this special weekend retreat designed especially for bereaved mothers and feel the weight from your shoulders, even if only for a little while. The Bereaved Mothers’ Retreat lasts only a weekend, but the benefits are intended to stay with you for a lifetime. Take some time for yourself; register now for the Bereaved Mothers’ Retreat.
Upcoming Bereavement Retreats and Services
- Taking Care of Ourselves as we Grieve
November 10, 2011 – Free Admission - Self Care Retreat for Bereaved Mothers:
November 25, 26 & 27 – Registration: $595 - Self Care Retreat for Bereaved Mothers:
February 24, 25, 26 - Registration: $495 - Self Care Retreat for Bereaved Mothers:
March 30, 31, April 1 - Registration: $495 - Self Care Retreat for Bereaved Mothers:
April 27, 28, 29 - Registration: $495 - Self Care Retreat for Bereaved Mothers:
May 25, 26, 27 - Registration: $495 - Self Care Retreat for Bereaved Mothers:
June 22, 23, 24 - Registration: $495
Kimberly Ryan Kimberly has been facilitating group workshops on meditation, stress reduction and personal development for over a decade. Kimberly has completed Level 1 of the Mindfulness Meditation Professional Training and is a graduate of the University of Waterloo. Kimberly is also a Registered Social Service Worker. amomentformyself.com
After the devastating loss of her son in 2009, Kimberly wanted to reach out and help other mothers through their journey of grief and mourning. She is currently completing the Bereavement Education Certification at University of Toronto and studied in Colorado with Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Bereavement Educator, during the summer of 2011.
It is Kimberly’s sincere hope that the Bereaved Mothers’ Retreat program will offer a much needed opportunity for self care, sharing and support.
Janet Allemang, MSW, RSW has over 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples and families. Janet has worked in public agencies and in private practise, presently she works full time with the Grand Erie District School Board. As a School Social Worker Janet counsels individual students, provides mental health information to school teams, responds to tragic events that impact on school communities and trains students and staff members in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
Janet has continued to expand her understanding of personal and interpersonal issues with a keen interest in working with people who have experienced loss. Recently Janet completed a Certificate Program in Bereavement Education from theUniversityofToronto. Janet’s calm, empathic approach allows people to express themselves and develop meaningful coping strategies to deal with the difficulties and life transitions they face.
Jaimie D’Hondt is a professional Esthetician, and is the founder of Beauty By Nature through which she provides a full range of esthetic services including: manicures, pedicures, relaxation facial treatments, gel nail enhancements, relaxation massage and semi-permanent eyelash extensions. She loves her business because it affords her the opportunity to interact with and provide rejuvenating treatments to both women and men.
Jaimie is thrilled with the prospect of providing Bereaved Moms with services and treatments that are relaxing and will make Moms feel “Pampered” and rightly so. She believes wholeheartedly that relieving the stress of grieving, even if just for a few minutes, is healing for the mind and spirit. It was for her when she experienced the loss of her young nephew, and now she looks forward to pampering participants in the Self Care Retreat.
Kinga Burjan is committed to ongoing yogic training which she has been studying for the past 4 years. She is a Yoga Educator and certified to teach Kundalini and Hatha Yoga, and is in the process of becoming a certified Laughter Yoga leader. Kinga also is completing a vigorous and holistic Yoga Therapy programme offered by theAmaraYogaSchoolinToronto.
Living in a rural county setting, she enjoys reaching out to her community by hosting unique yogic events, retreats, and being of service through volunteering and other community building events. The positive impact yoga has had on her students has been a rewarding experience for her, and she is looking forward to sharing these uplifting experiences with Bereaved Moms in the Self Care Retreat. After all, there’s nothing like a good belly laugh to release the stress of grieving, and help you to continue down the healing path. Kinga’s website is www.energyawareness.ca.
Chris Kemppi has sailed some stormy seas in her lifetime. While she has enjoyed teaching teens in Norfolk County for over 25 years, she lost her own teenage daughter to cancer in 2008.
There have been many other significant losses along the way and, at times, getting out of bed in the morning seemed too great a challenge for her. Thankfully, one small step at a time, healing has progressed. Chris has been working through her grief by writing, singing, public-speaking, meditating, playing hockey, working out at the gym, renovating houses and volunteering/fundraising.
As tough as her pathway has been, Chris firmly believes that she has landed in exactly this place, at exactly this time for a reason. She wishes to offer herself as a support to others who have suffered their own losses in order to help them along their own new pathways.
Brenda Lewis is a library technician from Hamilton who now makes her home in southwesternOntario. She has worked forMcMasterUniversity, Southern Ontario Library Service and is currently a library assistant with Elgin County Public Library.
In 2001 Brenda’s 11 year old daughter Claire died as the result of a medical error. Brenda has completed the facilitator training program with Bereaved Families of Ontario. She is passionate about books and gardening and hopes to be of service to other bereaved mothers
To reserve your place in this healing retreat, please register or contact us at 519 582 8679.