The Village Retreat 2021
Another successful retreat is in the books - our first ever retreat held in the mountains. We welcomed five new mamas into The Village Retreat community, coming from IN, TN, NC and VA; all to bravely share the story of their angel babies.
I'm often told my words don't do this retreat justice, so I thought the best way to say thank you for supporting us is to give you a glimpse into what this weekend is about and for you to read the words from the mamas who attended:
“I just got back home from the actual retreat, and I feel lighter. I do not feel alone in my loss. I know there are others out there like me. I feel like I’ve been holding my breath for a long time. I am not who I used to be. I am feeling renewed, rested, and validated. I feel like I’ve made lifetime connections and I am determined to just be my authentic self so I can heal and do big things. I am so grateful.”
“I shared space with women who have survived the unthinkable and yet, their hearts dare to keep beating. Women who listened to my story with a gentle knowing, and true compassion. Women who knew what questions to ask and when to whisper "me, too."
“I feel emptied. Not empty, but emptied. I got to share my story, share these emotions with an incredibly strong group of moms and for the first time I feel emptied. I let the top blow off and let it all out, and it was okay to do so, without making anyone feel awkward or like I was about to have a nervous breakdown. I felt normal. I could step out onto that balcony and was so close to that beautiful sky, so close to Heaven. So close to Gable and Stella.”
“We shared our stories— the good, the bad, and the devastating. We cussed a lot, we drank wine and sat in front of fires. We laughed over the bears who broke into our cars, and we cried about our babies and how un-fucking-fair life is.”
“I wanted to go to this retreat but before getting there, I wondered what it was that I would get out of it. By the time I left, it was abundantly clear. The message isn’t an easy one— it’s very related to Dan’s grief process and my need for him to be ok, and the fact that I can’t control any of it. But the message was received and I feel a weight lifted.
This weekend, 7 strangers bared our hearts and souls to each other and I dare say we have formed a bond that will be long lasting.”
“After Selah died, I was looking for anything that would help me feel less alone in my situation. I found The Village of Stillborn Mamas and started following them. In 2020, I found out they hosted a retreat and I tried to figure out a way to go then, but it didn’t work out. Now, I’m so glad it didn’t work out at that time because I met the exact group of beautiful mama’s that I needed to meet.
We laughed, we cried, we vented, we shared our hearts, and most importantly we shared our babies. I was able to share my story and not leave out a single detail. No one was uncomfortable, everyone just silently nodded and said me too. For so long, I have shared my story as a means to educate those around me about what it’s like to be a bereaved parent. To share my story without regard for education or thinking that I should leave parts out for the comfort of others was so freeing! It was so nice to be in a space of me too, mama!
There are no words to describe the women I met this weekend. We now share a sacred bond that I dare say will last a lifetime. Going to a retreat in a different state, flying by myself, going somewhere that I knew no one was a huge step of faith for me. I’m not usually one to put myself out there like that. The risk was worth it in every sense. Now, I have my village of mama’s to walk this lifelong journey of love and grief with.”
