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September 2022



Note:  To ensure that you can view this newsletter correctly, please be sure to scroll down and click 'show full message' at the bottom left of this message, then click 'view email in a browser' on the bottom right of this newsletter. Thank you!

Welcome to the September 2022 issue of our Helping Parents Heal Newsletter!  
Our Helping Parents Heal Conference Closing Ceremony, led by Suzanne Giesemann

Hello,
Shining Light Parents! For all parents and siblings of children who have transitioned, we understand your journey and we walk the same path.  We are grateful that you have found us.  This newsletter is a space that allows us to share our amazing children.

We are here for you.  Please remember to reach out to our Caring Listeners if you need a supportive parent to speak to.  You can reach all of our Caring Listener by clicking
here.   

We would like to take a moment to thank all of you for being a part of our little group.  Our Facebook group now has over 23,000 members, and we have 165 volunteer Affiliate Leaders and Caring Listeners. We know that our kids have brought us together and that they are happy that we have found each other.  You are all part of our extended family.  Thank you for your compassion and for the continued support you provide.  Together, we will help each other heal!  

With love and light, 
-Elizabeth Boisson, President and Co-Founder of Helping Parents Heal, Newsletter Editor, Caring Listener and Phoenix/Scottsdale Affiliate Leader


Please visit our website, www.helpingparentsheal.org, to find out more, as well as to add your child's tribute, to sign up for our newsletter and to opt-in to support Helping Parents Heal through the Amazon Smiles program. 


Our 2022 Helping Parents Heal Second Conference!
In the Light - All Are Angels/Cyril and Elizabeth Boisson, Gordon Smith, Jacqui Winslade, Irene Vouvalides and Tony Vouvalides.  Photo credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Gordon Smith donated the beautiful oil on canvas work that is pictured above, In The Light - All Are Angels to Helping Parents Heal, Inc. and $10,722 was raised from the online auction and the sale of the prints during our Conference.  We are so grateful and we love you, Gordon and Jacqui Winslade
We did it! Our Second Helping Parents Heal Conference at the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix AZAugust 18th - 21st, 2022 was a healing, uplifting and awesome event I was honored to have organized this second conference with our HPH Conference Chair, Irene Vouvalides.  We have many wonderful people to thank.  Please continue reading to see some of the amazing individuals who helped this magical event to take place.

Note from Irene: 
Many of our conference attendees have reached out to ask how they can help with our next conference in 2024. Elizabeth and I would like you to know that without donations and fundraising over the past few years, we would not have been able to offer the conference registration at an affordable price. We are also grateful to have also given away over one hundred full scholarships. 

Please help us with fundraising! If you know someone who can help us research and write grants, or if you have contacts with major corporations that may be willing to help sponsor our event next time, please let us know! Also, consider a FB birthday fundraiser or a matching donation from your employer for HPH. 

As you all know, networking is the key to success. I am sure that if we work together, we can make our next conference just as successful and affordable as this one.

~Much love, Irene Vouvalides, Helping Parents Heal Conference Chair


We were thrilled to welcome  the following Keynote Presentations:
Suzanne Giesemann, Gordon Smith, Jeffery Olsen & Dr. Jeff O'Driscoll, Dr. Mary Neal, David Kessler, Mark Anthony, Dr. Gary Schwartz and our Helping Parents Heal Book Panel with Suzanne Giesemann/Photo credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Several of our Esteemed Conference Presenters
Irene Vouvalides, Rhonda Schwartz, Dr. Gary Schwartz, Mark Anthony, Rocky Trainer, Jamie Clark, Elizabeth Boisson, Brian Smith, Tina Powers, Maggie Clark/Photo Credit: Rick Wilcoxson

More Fabulous Conference Presenters:
Ann Albers, LaVonne Wells, Ingrid Honkala, Shelly Wilson, Julie Ryan, Fara Gibson, Joe McQuillen, Carol Allen, Christine Salter, Jeff Janssen, Andrea Courey, David Router, William Peters (missing Michelle Johnston), Tina Powers, Isabella Johnson, Sue Frederick, Jamie Clark, Brian Smith, Mark Ireland, Spencer & Jeffery Olsen, Paul Denniston, Michelle Clare, Tava Wilson & Mary Bertun, Kat Baillie, Lisa Wilcoxson, Rick & Beth Olsen, Dawn Richards & Lynn Hollahan, Janean Quigley & LeAnn Hull (missing Barb Clark). You can find out more about this year's conference and the presenters by clicking here

Many of our Conference Presenters at the Banquet
We were grateful to have many of our Presenters join us on Saturday night/Photo Credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Our awesome A/V team, led by Shining Light Dad Tony Allen and Todd Antons, was top-notch, and the donated material, including a Christie Digital Wall, allowed all of the almost 900 attendees to see and hear the speakers with ease.

Todd Antons, Shining Light Dad Tony Allen and Steven Eggers of the A/V Team - Photo Credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Conference Volunteers

A few of our fabulous Volunteers, Left to Right:  Dawn Richards & Hanne Hanson, Kayla and Tywana Smith with Loki, Alix Boisson, Michael Walsh & Christine Boisson, Irene Vouvalides & Doryce McLaughlin, Laurie Savoie at her Gift Table, Tom Norris, Rosanne Norris, Kathy MacMannis & Debbie Sorey, Mark Bronzo & Iris Mishulla/Photo credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Our 30 Shining Light Volunteers, led by Hanna Hanson and Laurie Savoie, were organized, efficient and compassionate.  The members included Shining Light parents and siblings.  Laurie is seen at her gift table, where she distributed a hand-made gift for each attendee! 

Our Volunteer Photographers, Shining Light Parents Rick Wilcoxson and Deborah Connors, captured many of the magical moments at the conference.  We hope to make the photos available to all of you soon!  
Rick and Beth Wilcoxson with Anthony and Michael, Deborah Connor and her son, James

Although we printed 1000 copies of the Conference Program, created by talented graphic designer Lisa Berghoff, we didn't have any left at the end of the conference. It is nice to know that many parents and presenters took them home as souvenirs! 


Beautiful Buttons and a Heartwarming Video in Honor of Grace
Buttons Lined Up at the Conference Await Attendees/Grace Hanson Sulak

Heidi Hanson created 900 buttons for the attendees of this year's conference, and a beautiful video of all our children that played in a loop throughout the conference.  She did so in honor of her beautiful daughter, Grace.  If you would like to reach out to thank Heidi, who was unable to attend the conference, please email her at
faithgrace49@gmail.com.


STREAMING FOR THE SOUL:

We were grateful to have Karl Fink and his team of videographers at the Conference!  If any of you were unable to attend the conference or would like to view the recorded keynote and other presentations,  please click
here to learn more and purchase.


Open to Hope and Grief and Rebirth Also Joined Us!
Irene Vouvalides with Heidi Horsley, PhD/ Ingrid Honkala, PhD, Irene Weinberg and Elizabeth Boisson


We were grateful that Dr Heidi Horsley, Dr. Gloria Horsley, Heather Horsley and Rebecca Bara of Open to Hope, as well as Irene Weinberg of Grief and Rebirth, joined us at the Conference.  Please stay tuned for their podcasts about our amazing Presenters and Parents!

Helping Fathers Heal
Photo Credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Our Co- Affiliate Leaders Mike Edwards, Andy Bohart, Warren Gibbons and Chris Meyers all welcomed hundreds of Dads to the Conference!  We missed Jeff Cottrell and his wife Nan, who were not able to attend due to illness.  We will definitely see them at the next conference! HFH Member Warren Gibbons and James Wagstaff showed foresight in asking all of the Dads to gather for this great picture, captured by Rick Wilcoxson! Helping Fathers Heal meets every Wednesday evening at 7 pm CT.  Please click here for this week's meeting! 


James Wagstaff, A Helping Fathers Heal Dad, Speaks about the Conference
James Wagstaff with Elizabeth Boisson and Irene Vouvalides, James and Krista's son, Wes/Photo credit for Conference: Rick Wilcoxson

During an intermission at the Conference, Elizabeth and Irene asked for parents to speak about how the Conference had helped them to move forward and heal.  I remember the ladies who spoke on stage before me, and then hearing Elizabeth saying “Ok, we need to get back on schedule so we can start the live stream.” I sighed a breath of relief, as during those speeches I could hear Wes in my head saying “Why are there no dads up there? Go on! Don’t be a chicken!” Followed by clucking noises in my head!
 
I’ve always been great in small groups, hanging out at the bar or any small gathering really, but to stand up in front of that many people, under giant spotlights which would give the bat signal a run for its money – yeah, not me, well not before that morning!
 
Elizabeth then went back up to eventually ask if anyone else would like to say anything, and I was already on my feet walking towards the stage before she could finish! My amazing wife Krista, doing that thing where you’re shouting but whispering at the same time; “JAMES! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! JAMES, JAMES!” I responded to her by mouthing the words “I don’t know!”
 
Before I knew it, Elizabeth was welcoming me to the stage, I may as well have been stood in front of a packed-out Madison Square Garden! I went to HPH as a skeptic, I was there to support my wife, yet I can confidently say I meant every word. I hadn’t found my connection to my boy until I was directed outside into nature, I always believed my signs were in music – now whilst I’m sure I get the occasional message that way, it was Krista’s thing.
 
I needed to kick off my shoes and feel the ground beneath my feet. I had to let the other dads know this, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and just because they hadn’t quite found their connection yet did not mean that they would not! It is ok for us men to feel how we want to feel, we feel this need to protect everyone around us, and that is perfectly fine, but deep down we know we need to protect ourselves also, we just don’t know how.
 
Helping Fathers Heal and Helping Parents Heal have helped me understand this. I’m eternally grateful for the hope you have given me and to us all, and of course my wife, Krista, for believing in me, even when I couldn’t believe in myself, and Wes for giving me the strength to take a leap of faith.
 
~James Wagstaff, Wes’ proud Dad


Helping Siblings Heal
Photo Credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Our Co-Affiliate Leader Cody Brooks (top with the great hat) welcomed many Shining Light Siblings to the Conference.  Shelly Wilson held a special reading for the Siblings and Jeffery Olsen and his son Spencer Olsen presented 'A Father and Son's Healing Journey - Navigating Grief Through the Eyes of a Child.' Helping Siblings Heal will meets by Zoom - please click
here for more information! 

Helping Parents Heal - All Our Children/Only Child Conference Brunch
Lisa Wilcoxson and many of the Moms from the group/Photo credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Lisa Wilcoxson and Irene Vouvalides are Co-Affiliate Leaders for this wonderful, uplifting group.  They met on Thursday morning for a Welcome Brunch and they had a fabulous time.  Irene Vouvalides had to leave before the picture was taken, to prepare for the start of the conference.  

Our Fabulous Medium Scramble

Isabella Johnson, Lisa Wilcoxson, Kat Baillie, Stacey Lynn Cripps, Fara Gibson, Shelly Wilson, Tina Powers and Jamie Clark/Photo credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Eight of our most beloved Parent-Recommended Mediums came together on Friday night during the conference to bring hope and healing to all of the attendees.  These wonderful, bright lights split up, two by two, and went into four separate rooms.  They amazed and delighted the parents with the children that they brought through.  Thank you, Isabella, Lisa, Kat, Stacey, Fara, Shelly, Tina and Jamie! 


Some of Our Conference Attendees
This photo, taken by Rick Wilcoxson, shows the audience's reaction to David Kessler's awesome presentation.

Some of the Magic From the Conference:

An Incredible Energy of Love and Compassion - Cathy Zimmerman

Cathy and Ross Zimmerman, A Conference Sunset


Hi HPH Family, This was my second HPH conference. At the first one, I was a few weeks away from Ross’s 2nd angelversary. I had some coping tools, but I was anxious and absolutely dreading that angelversary date. My heart still had a hole. Thanks to the presenters and the fellowship of HPH, I left on such a high from that first conference that it helped carry me through that dreaded angelversary.

This time I came to the conference with a different feeling. Ross and I are almost 6 1/2 years into this new phase of our relationship. This time I came with a sense of peace with a purpose to listen and learn. There’s so much to learn. Suzanne Giesemann's
 question of, “Who am I”, struck a chord. Each presenter offered pieces to the puzzle of how we each answer that question. What I love about these conferences is that there is something for everyone, no matter what stage you are in on this journey.

The incredible energy of love and compassion from all the conference attendees was palpable. The hugs were plentiful. The tears were accepted without pity. The laughter and joy was contagious without judgement. We shared our children with each other. In other words, we found our tribe.

Thank you from my heart to Elizabeth Boisson
 and Irene Vouvalides and everyone who helped coordinate this beautiful conference. You are earth angels.


~With love from Cathy Zimmerman, our Helping Parents Heal - Tampa Co-Affiliate Leader and Shining Light Mom of Ross

A Huge Celebration of Life! - Raquel Torres
Raquel and her husband with newfound friends, including Fara Gibson/ A Sunset at the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass

I have no words to describe this event… we just know our hearts needed the connection, the love and the peace that poured out of every soul present at that place. The energy was blowing the roof off (literally when we saw the thunderstorm above us). The desert was the perfect place and we had countless proof of our kids presence and their connection with each other, guiding us!!

Thank you HPH for the amazing opportunity to experience a piece of heaven this weekend. We cried and laughed with so many peers who shared our experience. My husband and I felt like we were in a huge celebration of life!! Our kids live and they are here and there… love you all!

Just a side note (my husband was not much of a believer until this weekend!!) He came home a changed man and he loved every minute of it.  God willing, we will be back in two years with many other validations to share.


~Written by Raquel Torres


Grateful to Be Me at the Conference - Laura Sulak
Aidan Sulak/Sunset at the Conference

What made this conference special for me? It took me a minute, but I realized as soon as I stepped into the Uber with two other moms to travel to the hotel, I was finally NORMAL. I didn't have to wear The Mask. The three of us didn't even know each other. We met on Facebook to share a ride, but we instantly felt comfortable sharing our stories with each other and our compassionate driver who listened to us and was open to hearing us.

And somehow, I was directed to a group of moms (thank you, Aidan) that I spent the rest of the of conference with. We listened to each others' journeys. We laughed and cried. We shared meals, drinks and stories, and we've vowed to stay in touch. I have no doubt we will.

I was able to walk into a space full of strangers and just BE ME. I wasn't the mom whose son died. I wasn't the suicide mom. I was just another person, and this was such a blessing, pressed down and overflowing.

Like others, I want to thank Elizabeth Boisson, Irene Vouvalides, Heidi Hanson
 and every single volunteer, presenter and medium. I cannot express enough gratitude to all of you for creating this safe space to learn, heal, grow and connect. Thank you, thank you.

~Written by Aidan's Mom, Laura Sulak


A Magical Weekend - Linda Scribner
Linda and Tony Scribner, Jacob and Jordan

We just arrived home after attending the AMAZING conference and spending a few extra days with family in Phoenix. We attended the conference 4 years ago and it was AMAZING as well. At that time were 4 years into our journey after losing our son, Jordan. We met
Irene a couple of years before that conference and immediately connected. I'm 100% sure Jordan and Carly set it up, as they share their angel date (one year apart). We were doing great after that first conference, until one year later when another son, Jacob, crossed the veil to join his brother. To say these last 3 years have been a struggle would be an understatement--mentally, emotionally, physically, and topped with all the worldly happenings.

Something magical happened the minute we arrived at Wild Horse Pass! I could just feel it! I fully embraced the entire weekend. I don't think I have EVER felt so welcomed and comfortable to be with 900 other parents because we all "get" each other! For the past 3 years I have hated to go out anywhere I didn't have to. Work and home was about it, because out in the public I just didn't "feel" right, like I didn't belong because I was different x2. Now, after this second conference, I feel like I cannot stop smiling! I learned so much and I feel so much love! I learned instead of sitting back and just waiting for a sign, I need to ASK my boys, and be specific. I asked Jordan something one day and he delivered the next. Then I asked Jacob, and he delivered the next day as well. WOW!

This conference was the boost I needed and I cannot wait for the next! THANK YOU Irene Vouvalides and Elizabeth Boisson, 
for all you have done! It was spectacular!

~Written by Jacob and Jordan's Mom, Linda Scribner


A Gathering of Shining Lights - Dolores Cruz
The Highway From Heaven, Dolores' Lanyard with Eric's Photo, Shining Light Parents

Dolores Cruz, Our Los Angeles Affiliate Leader and a Caring Listener, wrote about the conference on her blog, Look Around, A Mother's Journey from Grief and Despair to Healing and Hope.  She also wrote a beautiful book by the same name.  You can read her blog by clicking
here.  Thank you for all you do, Dolores.  

The Wheelchair - Rick Wilcoxson
Shining Light Dad Quentin and Peter, Lisa Wilcoxson and Michael/Photo Credit: Rick Wilcoxson

Rick wrote a beautiful story about the signs that he received from his son, Michael, during the conference.  Please click here to read! 


A Poem by Mike Pasakarnis about our Conference Weekend
Wolf & Mike Pasakarnis

Like other parents we were asked to speak for 2 minutes by the crew from 'Open to Hope' who were filming our thoughts and comments, and I wanted some time to give thought to reflect on how I saw the weekend going and asked to film later.

Time quickly went by and so I gathered myself alone in my room and asked Wolf for some guidance on a message. I was drawn to use parts of his final poem but leave the theme of lightning, so I used being struck, and further infused his constant messages of return to our Heart, (within us). However, when I returned to film, the crew was packing up for the weekend.

I thank Divine for my son Wolf, and all the blessings that have arisen since.

Here is the poem, inspired by Wolf:

Spirit of Great Healer awaken from within our hearts,
Peace and tranquility flow like water.
For the time has come to allow us to be “struck”
with the knowing our children will always be with us,
And may this Love continue to grow within us all.


-With Love, Mike & Beth Pasakarnis


A Huge THANK YOU to our Amazing August Zoom Presenters!
We were grateful to welcome the following wonderful Presenters: 

Curtis Childs, Dr. Gary Schwartz and Drew Cali.  Please check out their presentations on our YouTube Channel. 

As well as to our Affiliate Presenters:
Lisa Wilcoxson, All Our Children/Only Child/ Andrea Courey, Sound Healing/ Alejandro del Rio Catedratico, Helping Parents Heal - en Español.  Please check out their presentations on our YouTube Channel. 

Join Us For Our Upcoming Zoom Meetings!
Lisa Morrison, Beth Lynch, Rob Gentile, Pauline Mason, Becky Austill-Claussen, Drew Cali, Shelly Wilson, Curtis Childs and Daisy Mae Moore

-Gallery Readings with Lisa Morrison on September 6th
-Gallery Readings with Beth Lynch on September 8th
-Rob Gentile, Author of 'Quarks of Light,' & Near Death Experiencer, September 15th
-Gallery Readings with Pauline Mason on September 20th
-Reiki Master Becky Austill-Claussen on September 20th

-Gallery Readings with Drew Cali on September 28th
-Gallery Readings with Shelly Wilson on September 29th
-Curtis Childs of the Swedenborg Institute on October 4th

-Gallery Readings with Daisy Mae Moore on October 11th


And our Upcoming Helping Parents Heal Affiliate Presenters:
Sara Ruble, Daisy Mae Moore, Judi Hancox, Cindy Baumann, Andrea Courey, Shelly Wilson

-HPH Carmel by the Sea Welcomes Sara Ruble on September 5th 
-HPH Spiritual Tools for Grief Healing with Daisy Mae Moore on September 11th
-HPH - Shiome Healing Session with Judith Hancox on September 12th
-HPH Spiritual Tools for Grief Healing w/Cindy Baumann, 'Grief Warrior,' Sept 12th
-HPH Sound Healing with Andrea Courey on September 19th
-HPH - Spiritual Tools for Grief Healing with Shelly Wilson on October 3rd


Please view our recent presenters on our YouTube Channel or on our Helping Parents Heal FB under 'videos', where all of the videos are available! Please also join our Facebook group here to sign up for the upcoming Zoom conference meetings. They can be attended by anyone, anywhere in the world with Internet service! They hope to see you there.

Dr. Mark Pitstick and Lynn Hollahan lead our 32 HPH Caring Listeners
The Caring Listeners By Alphabetical Order: Manisha Akhauri, David and Allison Alison, Carol Allen, Lisa Arnold, Claudia Ardelean, Elizabeth Boisson, Mabel Chan, Dolores Cruz, Pamela DeMars, Judith Hancox, Nancy Hejna, Point of Contact Lynn Hollahan, Jeff Hollahan, Lisa Laniewski, Paige Lee, Conrado Leslie, Paola Leslie, Joyce McLaughlin, Rosanne Norris, Janean Quigley, Linda Rampling, John Rooks, Laurie Savoie, Elly Sheykhet, Brian Smith, Tywana M. Smith, Suzi Smith, Merle Taylor, Irene Vouvalides and Lisa Wilcoxson of the Caring Listeners. 

We regret to say that after many years of graciously helping parents, Patti Brennan has decided to step down as a Caring Listener.  Thank you, Patti! 


Our thirty-two wonderful volunteer Caring Listeners, led by Dr. Mark Pitstick and Lynn Hollahan, are willing to talk in person, by phone or by Zoom. They each are bereaved parents who are now shining brightly – most of the time – and want to help others. We have Spanish-Speaking, French-speaking, Italian-Speaking, Cantonese-Speaking, Romanian-Speaking, Russian-Speaking and Hindi-Speaking Caring Listeners as well. Now more than ever, please do not hesitate to call! Please click here to learn more!  


THE WISDOM OF GREGWritten by Susan Van Oije with Bill and Greg

Bill is just an ordinary guy who has had extraordinary things happen to him since the passing of his son Greg. Susan writes it all down. The Calgary, Canada affiliate leaders are on an amazing journey with their son. 

   
ANGEL DOLLY DOG
Riley

Our son in spirit gave us a dog from the other side. You read that right! Here's how we were gifted with our precious pupkin Riley:

Ten months after our son Greg passed at age 27 on September 7, 2014, Bill (who it turns out is able to communicate with our son on the other side) had a dream. Bill said all night long he dreamed that Greg showed him the date SEPTEMBER 10 in big black letters, over and over again. We had no idea what this meant, as this was mid-July 2015. The day finally came and we thought Greg must have been telling us to watch the NFL season opener scheduled for September 10 that featured Greg's favorite football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A little over three months later, we were at our place in Scottsdale, Arizona and we popped into a puppy store at the local mall to see the cute puppies. I had always very strongly maintained that we would never get a dog - too much mess and bother and it would mean we couldn't travel. But Bill had talked to Greg several weeks before he passed about how he wouldn't mind a dog if it was a small lap dog, female, didn't have to be walked, did its business on a puppy pad, didn't shed, didn't bark or bite, could be transported on the airplane with us, and would stay a puppy forever. Bill told me about his conversation with Greg shortly after their conversation, and I said first of all, a dog like that does not exist. And secondly, we are never getting a dog, but if we did, I didn't want one of those fluffy white dogs like everyone else has (apologies to all fluffy white dog owners out there!).

Bill and I looked at the puppies behind glass in their cages, each one with a small card in the corner of the glass telling you what kind of dog it was, and another piece of information that I didn't look at at the time. Of course, if we knew we were looking for a dog, we would have gone to a shelter instead, but Greg knew the puppy store is where we occasionally showed up.

I stopped at one cage and read that it was a Chiweenie, which I had never heard of before but thought that was pretty funny and figured the dog was part Chihuahua and part Dachshund. I called Bill over and said "Look Bill! It's a Chiweenie!" He had no idea what that was either.

A few days later, I mentioned on the phone to our daughter, Kristin, who was still in Canada but planning on visiting us for Christmas in a few days, that we had seen a Chiweenie in the puppy store. She also thought that was funny and said when she got to Scottsdale, she had to go see it. A few days after she arrived, we finally got to the puppy store, and as Bill walked ahead of us, I stopped with Kristin at the cage where the Chiweenie was, and pointed her out. Then I took a closer look at the card on the glass. It said her date of birth was September 10. I was absolutely amazed, and started to tear up, and pointed this out to Kristin and Bill. Our daughter had always wanted a dog, so she wasn't going to let this opportunity pass. She said we had to ask to hold her, and we did, although I thought, 'Oh, oh, this could be dangerous', because I still thought at this point that I did not want a dog.

Bill said to me "Are you able to say no to a dog that was sent to us by Greg?" and of course I couldn't, although I had no idea how to take care of a dog or how we would get her into Canada. All I can say is that I quickly became absolutely and totally and hopelessly in love with Riley.
She is perfect, and believe it when I say she is exactly as Bill described to Greg. Sweet, funny, an old soul, a born cuddler, and she has taught us more about love than you would ever imagine possible. Just like Greg! We later found out that Riley was born in Missouri. One of my favorite sayings has always been "Show me. I'm from Missouri." In other words, I require proof. And did Greg ever provide proof that he's with us!  

Riley has never gotten bigger than 4 1/2 pounds, and as you can tell from her photo, she has short black hair (tick the box for no fluffy white dogs!). She refuses to walk outside on pavement or any other type of outside surface, so she's a very happy indoor dog (we chase her around the house for exercise). I carry her around outside in a puppy carrier on my chest. Yes, I am one of those people. Everyone who sees her can't believe she isn't a puppy. And she doesn't bark, unless someone rings the doorbell and she gets all toughy pants to protect us.

I've also come to believe it isn't a coincidence that she was born three days after Greg's first Angelversary, to mark his entry into Heaven. Riley's arrival in our lives is proof that if it comes from a place of love, our amazing kids can do anything.

Our son Greg knew that what we really needed in our lives was a Riley. I've always maintained that I didn't need a dog, I needed THIS dog. And by the way, she isn't really a dog, she's an Angel Dolly Dog. From our amazing son Greg.
   
If you would like to hear more about our amazing experiences, check out Bill's HPH video. Click
here to watch.

-Written by Susan Van Oije with Bill and Greg


Mark Ireland Gave an Interview to Mystic Mag on August 28th!
Please click here to read the article! 

Affiliate Updates -
In an effort to keep all of our wonderful parents safe during this Covid-19 pandemic, Helping Parents Heal now holds both Zoom meetings and in-person meetings. The in-person meetings follow the local legislationPlease contact our Affiliate Director, Dawn Richards, if you would like more information
about individual Affiliate Groups.   

Helping Parents Heal - Sound Healing with Andrea Courey!
Andrea Courey

Every month, please join us for a Sound Healing Meditation with author and Shining Light Mom Andrea Courey! Award winning entrepreneur, author, lecturer and recipient of a McGill University Dobson Fellow, Andrea graduated from McGill University in 1982 and from the University of Victoria in 2018 with a Master’s in Education. Since Andrea’s near death experience in 1991, she has been practicing meditation and was introduced to Sound Meditation a decade later.

Andrea’s daughter Chloe passed into Spirit in 2016. Six weeks later, Andrea began a dialogue with Chloe after hearing Chloe’s words 'Mom, you are so easy to find it's a joke'. For five months they exchanged many conversations which became Andrea’s first book ‘Conversations with Chloe: A Mother and Daughter Dialogue Across the Veil’. Her second book, ‘Magical Thinking…not!’ is a collection of conversations with bereaved parents about their journeys of love and loss and the signs they receive from their children in spirit. Andrea is a sound healing practitioner helping people to reduce anxiety and experience deep peace. To receive her books as a free pdf and the zoom links to her sound sessions, write to acourey1212@gmail.com. 

Click
here for the link to Andrea's next event on September 19th at 8 pm EST!

Lisa Wilcoxson & Irene Vouvalides - All Our Children/Only Child
Irene Vouvalides and Linus, Lisa Wilcoxson


Irene Vouvalides and Lisa Wilcoxson host a monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at 8 pm EST for parents who have had all of their children transition.  It is an uplifting, healing meeting and they would love for you to join them.  Please click here to join the group and learn more! 

Helping Fathers Heal with Mike Edwards
Mike and Dylan Edwards

If you are a Dad, please don't miss these awesome Zoom meetings!  Mike Edwards, Andy Bohart, Jeff Cottrell, Warren Gibbons and Chris Myers, the Co-Affiliate Leaders of Helping Fathers Heal, continue to hold weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 7 pm Central!  Please contact Mike for more information and the Zoom link
here.

Shiome Healing Sessions with Judi Hancox
Judith Hancox

Judith Hancox, MSW, BCETS, has kindly given monthly healing sessions to parents, and she has done so throughout the pandemic.  Her sessions are now on the second Monday of every month from 2 pm - 4 pm EST. To register for the Shiome Healing Session and receive the Zoom link for the next meeting, you must return an email to 
judith.hph@gmail.com acknowledging all the conditions below, giving us your contact phone number, consent and agreement of conditions below:

I understand and give consent to the following:
1) My camera needs to be on for safety reasons.
2) There will be an Affiliate Leader/Caring Listener Support Team in attendance to support me if needed.
3) I'm providing my contact phone number for assistance (if needed) after the session. 
4) I will allow recording of the session for Judith's professional use only, including research, education and teaching purposes and not for public viewing.


Our Helping Parents Heal Board, minus Ernie Jackson:
Brian Smith, Laurie Savoie, Carol Allen, Elizabeth Boisson, Irene Vouvalides, Mark Ireland, Jeff Hollahan and Doryce Norwood /Photo Credit: Rick Wilcoxson, Shining Light Dad 

Board Members and Officers of Helping Parents Heal: 
Elizabeth Boisson - President & Co-F0under/ elizabeth@helpingparentsheal.org
Irene Vouvalides - Vice President and Conference Chair/ irenevouvalides@gmail.com
Mark Ireland - Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board / irelandmarks@yahoo.com
Doryce Norwood / cherishthemforever@gmail.com
Ernie Jackson / stonejak4@hotmail.com
Brian Smith / onlyhuman141@gmail.com
Jeff Hollahan / jeff-hollahan@cox.net
Carol Allen / carolallen029@gmail.com
Laurie Savoie-Secretary / Laurie6385@gmail.com

Affiliate Director: Dawn Richards / HPHALDirector@gmail.com

You can read the bios and see photos of each of the affiliate leaders on the Groups page of our website: www.helpingparentsheal.org.







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Please check our Website, www.helpingparentsheal.orgfor Tributes to our children, information about Affiliate Groups, Board Member, Affiliate Leader and Caring Listener bios, YouTube Videos, archived newsletters, Helping Parents Heal Providers and Donors, and much more! You can also sign up for our newsletter on the home page of our website.  
Past Events
A large group of beautiful Shining Light parents who attended Suzanne Giesemann's Personal Mediumship Plus workshop in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in late July

Upcoming Events
Join a free live chat, Your Life Plan + The NDE + Past Lives - What Have We Learned? with Dr. Raymond Moody and Rob Schwartz, on September 1st at 7:30 pm EST!  These two wonderful authors and afterlife researchers are both huge supporters of Helping Parents Heal.  Please register for free by clicking here.
Eben Alexander and Karen Newell invite you to a free, online Video Event recording, Harness the Wisdom, Wonder and Life-Affirming Power of Near-Death Experiences, that is available by clicking here.

 
Spreading Sunshine by LeAnn Hull
Clay, Andy and LeAnn Hull

Roadmap to Healing  
Let me just start by saying that the title of this article sounded like complete nonsense in the early days after Andy moved to Heaven. In fact, not only did I believe that healing was impossible, but it would also infuriate me when other people either said or inferred it. How could I ever “heal” from the devastation of losing a child? Frankly, I wasn’t even sure that I would survive! But that was then, and this is now…Healed I am… Wow!!! Just couldn’t help my poetic self, sorry  

The road or journey to healing looks different for everyone, but I hope that at the very least to share a glimpse of mine. The good news is that you are reading that it is possible and that is where it starts for all of us. Hearing from others who had paved the way gave me hope even if I didn’t believe them. I heard and watched them as often as I could. They shared the books that they had read, the videos that they had watched and the signs that they had received from their children in Heaven.  

It all started, for me, at the Helping Parents Heal, in person meetings. While it has been a blessing to have all of the Zoom meetings and presentations, I truly believe that we all need to have physical connection. At some point in time, in person meetings will become available and I highly encourage you to do whatever you can to attend them.  

Just one grueling month after Andy moved, I attended my very first meeting. I remember the gut ache I had walking in the room. My feet felt like they had glue stuck to the bottom as I drug them along. Instantly, the tears started to well up and panic was taking over every inch of my being. As I was just about ready to turn around and drag myself home, Mark Ireland and Elizabeth Boisson welcomed me. Uhg, I couldn’t leave now, I was one of them. Reluctantly, I came to every meeting month after month even though I didn’t want to. You see, what I did want was to not feel the way that I currently felt like for the rest of my life and that was enough to keep me coming.  

What was wrong with these people? Why were they smiling? What were they smoking? It’s like that famous scene in the movie “When Harry met Sally”, where she is faking, well you know what and the person at the near by table says, “I want what she is having!” That is how I felt. I wanted to be like these other parents who were further along in their journey and appeared to be “okay”. Actually, they seemed like they were happy which I couldn’t even fathom. But what else do we have but hope in healing? Do you want to stay where you are at? Hell no!! Well, that is the way I felt. Hell no!!  

Recently, I have heard several people, when I ask them if they are going to the conference, say to me that it was just too soon for them to be in that situation. Honestly, what are they waiting for? Time will probably not “heal” you but, people, places and info will! The more you hear about how other parents have learned to move forward, the easier it will be. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that it will be “easy”, but is it easy where you are in your current state of mind?  

Read as many books as you can, attend as many meetings, listen to podcasts, look into the eyes of other parents who have gone where you are, and run toward your future not away from it! 


Shine on, Moms and Dads~LeAnn Hull, Andy's Proud Mama and the founder of
Andy Hull's Sunshine Foundation.  LeAnn is the author of  How to Live When You Want to Die, available on Amazon.
 
Helping Parents Heal Affiliate Group Information
NEW CO-AFFILIATE LEADERS!  Helping Fathers Heal, hosted by Mike Edwards, Andy Bohart, Jeff Cottrell, Warren Gibbons and Chris Myers, every Wednesday at 7 pm Central by Zoom.  Please contact Mike for future dates and times: mikeedwards.hph@gmail.com
NEW CO-AFFILIATE LEADER! Helping Parents Heal - Atlanta hosted by Tammy Wardemann & Kay Hendricks.  Please contact Tammy for future dates and times: twardemann@live.comNEW CO-AFFILIATE LEADERS! Helping Parents Heal - Philadelphia, hosted by Antoinetta Forte & Christine Volpe.  Please find out more here

NEW GROUP! Helping Parents Heal - All Our Children/Only Child with Irene Vouvalides & Lisa Wilcoxson.  Please find our more here.  
Helping Parents Heal  - Metro Milwaukee with Heather Hansen.  Please click here to learn more!
Helping Parents Heal - Sacramento/Foothills Region with Cindy Norris Bohart.  Please click here for more information.
Helping Parents Heal - Northern Virginia with Kathy MacMannis and Andy MacMannis!  Please click here for more information.
Helping Parents Heal - Sedona with Michele Tillery and Leslie Zuczek!  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - Milwaukee with Dawn Coleman and Rick and Beth Olsen.  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - Davenport/Quad Cities with Terri Pardun.  Please click here.
HPH - Spiritual Tools for Grief Healing with Paige Lee, Amy Boyer Cox and Donna Rewald.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - London, UK, hosted by Terri MacDonald.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Maine with Ginny Kern.  Please click here.Helping Parents Heal - Utah with Sue Inglet.  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - NYC/Westchester with Colleen Byrne.  Please click here!
Helping Parents Heal in Romanian with Claudia Ardelean and Ramona Vizitiu. Please learn more here!
Helping Parents Heal - Bay Area with Truc-Co and Tom Jong and Beverly Wilson.  Please click here for more information!

Helping Parents Heal - Australia/New Zealand with Angela and Danny London and Marie Sulda.  Please click here to learn more!Helping Parents Heal - Buffalo with Deanna Galkiewicz and Joan LoCurto.  Please click here to learn more!
Helping Parents Heal - Flagstaff hosted by Janean Quigley and Megan McCarthy.  Please click here.Helping Parents Heal - South Africa with Simone Stamp & Shereen Pillay.  Click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Australia/New Zealand Moving Forward After Suicide with Jo Greaney, Alison Keane and Alison Salisbury.  Please click here for more information.
Helping Parents Heal - Calgary with Bill & Susan Van Oije.  Please click here to learn more!
Helping Parents Heal - Carmel with Galen Call.  Please click here to learn more! 
Helping Parents Heal - En Espagnol with Ana Molina.  Please click here!
Amy Boyer Cox of Helping Parents Heal - Charlottesville.  Please click here

Helping Parents Heal - Boca Raton with Sandra Seiden.  Please click here!
Helping Parents Heal - Osteosarcoma, led by Casey Crossan and Sunita Krishna.  Please click here

FOR SIBLINGS!  Helping Siblings Heal with Cody Brooks, Anna Buckmaster and Kailee Savoie.  Please click here to learn more! 
Helping Parents Heal - Austin with Rhonda Andrews.  Please click here to learn more.

Helping Parents Heal - Binghamton, NY with Kat and Robert Allen and Rosanne Groover Norris.  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - India with Chandra Ramamurthy and Anal Shah.  Please learn more by clicking here
Helping Parents Heal - Greater Inland NW (Washington to Idaho) with Kami Carlton, please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Denver with David Derby. Please click here to learn more!
Helping Parents Heal - Torrance/Downey with Dolores Cruz, Lin Dobie and Ana Esquival.  Please click here to learn more! 
Helping Parents Heal - Peoria/West Side with Ernie and Kristine Jackson.  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - Tucson hosted by Terri Petz.  Please click here!Helping Parents Heal - Philadelphia with Keri Bernstein and Michelle Johnston, please click here!
Helping Parents Heal - Rhode Island led by Elizabeth Alvarez and Laurie Ranaldi.  Please click here!
Helping Parents Heal - Coldwater, MI with Louise Crist. Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Portland with Marc and Annie Adams.  Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal -Minneapolis/St Paul, hosted by Lynn Argetsinger and Alicia Moag-Stahlberg.  Please click here to learn more!
Helping Parents Heal - Parents of Children who have Passed from an Addiction with Sandra Daniel-Hassel.  Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Meditation Group hosted by David and Allison Alison.  Please click here

Helping Parents Heal - San Luis Obispo with Gwyn and Johnny Canaan.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Washington DC hosted by Julia LaJoie and Rita Kozushin.  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - Danvers, MA with Renee Jacavacno.  Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Parents of Children with Special Needs, hosted by Lisa Wilcoxson.  Please click here to learn more!
Helping Parents Heal - Cave Creek, AZ, and Helping Parents Heal Book Club, hosted by Carol Allen.  Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Phoenix/Scottsdale with Elizabeth Boisson, please click here to learn more.Helping Parents Heal - Atlanta South Side with Jean Felts and Pat Kane Rudd. Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Mat-Su Valley, Alaska, hosted by Jean Pretorius and Dawn Harris.  Please click here to learn more
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Helping Parents Heal - Long Island with Patricia and Michael McHenry.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Ventura County hosted by Gloria Burciaga.  Please click here to learn more.

Helping Parents Heal - Southern New Hampshire hosted by Marta Ferreira and Anne Silanskas.  Please contact Marta for more information at Marta.ferreira4919@gmail.comHelping Parents Heal - Ottawa hosted by Patti May.  Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Tampa, FL hosted by Amy Diehl, Marla Grant, and Cathy Zimmerman.  Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Pittsburg with Tracee Slagel and Marilyn Vincenti.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Toronto hosted by Teresa Cernigliaro and Karen Wilson.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Connecting with Our Loved Ones hosted with Mary Bertun, Tava Wilson and Donna Rewald.  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - Bergen County, NJ with Marla Kallin and Irene Stuart.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - San Diego with Dawn Richards.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal -Akron/Cleveland with Christine Moncheck, Sylvia Christian & Celia Hardon.  Please click here.
Helping Parents Heal - Hilton Head, hosted by Irene Vouvalides, Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Mississippi Gulf Coast with Donna Tasker. Please click here to learn more.
Helping Parents Heal - Guided Meditation, hosted by Vida Vai. Please click here for more information.  
Helping Parents Heal - Brentwood/Nashville hosted by Maggie Spaulding.  Please click here
Helping Parents Heal - Houston, hosted by Pamela Hidinger.  Please click here to learn more.

Note: Information in the Helping Parents Heal newsletter is provided for the sole purpose of assisting you in finding resources (information, meetings, books, etc.) to aid in the bereavement process. This newsletter is not intended to endorse, sponsor or encourage your use of any of the information or services listed, whether from members or other individuals. Rather, our intent is simply to inform you of the vast amount of resources available for your consideration. We urge you to independently research and consider the value of any particular resource for yourself. Further, while we take steps to ensure the accuracy of the information posted, especially relative to linked media, we accept no liability for the content. Helping Parents Heal is a non-profit Corporation.

Mission of Helping Parents Heal: Our mission is to help parents who have had children pass, giving them support and resources to aid in the healing process. We will go a step beyond other groups by allowing the open discussion of spiritual experiences and evidence for the Afterlife in a non-dogmatic way. In other words, we will welcome everyone regardless of their religious (or non-religious) background and allow for a very open type of dialog. We receive all and do not judge people or their children on the basis of life choices. -Mark Ireland, Cofounder, Helping Parents Heal

The Amazon Smile Program - Help Us to Help More Parents!Please designate Helping Parents Heal Inc as your preferred charity on the Amazon Smile program. This will allow 0.5% of eligible purchases on Amazon to help fund our 2020 conference. Just log in, type in 'Amazon Smile' into the search bar at the top of the page, and then choose 'Helping Parents Heal Inc' as your preferred charity. Then, when you log on to Amazon, remember to do so at: smile.amazon.com. And THANK YOU! 




















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