Details: February 29-March 3, 2024
Cost:$295
Organizer: DeAndrea (682) 214-4608 deandrea@amemorygrows.org
This event is now sold out. To be added to the wait list, please email Deandrea Dare.
After a child dies it seems that time has stopped and yet the world keeps on moving. Our hearts break and our minds race and yet no one can see or feel that which is happening inside of us. We all grieve differently and sometimes the ways that we grieve are misunderstood by others and even by ourselves. This is why it is so important to find others who are walking a similar path who can truly relate to what we are thinking and feeling.
Retreats presented by A Memory Grows connects parents who have experienced similar losses. This retreat in particular will bring together parents who are survivors of suicide. In this setting we will find a safe place to remember and honor our children, not for how they died but for how they lived. In the time shared during the retreats our children are celebrated and the relationship that we continue to share with them is nourished. Time is also intentionally set aside for rest, relaxation and reflection.
Parents are free to choose as many activities to participate in or as few. We understand that sometimes the time away is simply what is needed. A Licensed Professional Counselor will be leading a group session on grief that is highly encouraged for all parents to participate in.
The $295 non-refundable cost includes all lodging with beautiful accommodations at The Farmstone, a Texas Sized Luxury Estate, programming costs(includes all materials for remembrance activities, rituals, and Licensed Professional Counselor) as well as 7 meals. The only thing that is not covered is the cost of whatever the parent/s decide to do during the free night.
Due to a generous grant a large part of the retreat cost is being underwritten. This retreat has been generously underwritten by the Poché Family and Shell Oil in memory of Karyn Poché. Karyn is the oldest of three daughters. Her parents describe her in these words, “Karyn’s greatest quality displaying her inner beauty was her compassion. She loved helping people and making people happy. She saw the goodness in everyone, especially when no one else could. She was a completely selfless young lady, who strived to bring others happiness through laughter, as Karyn was quite a prankster. Everyone that knew Karyn loved her. She had a way of connecting with everyone she met, both young and old. She adored children and considered a future as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker so she could help children who suffer. Her greatest act of selflessness was making the decision to become an organ donor when she got her drivers permit – truly demonstrating her compassion for others. Karyn suffered in silence while bringing others joy.”
Karyn died by suicide on November 20, 2018, at the age of 15 after years of suffering from major depression. Karyn’s parents traveled from Louisiana to attend the September 2019 A Memory Grows Retreat for Suicide Loss.
“A Memory Grows gave us, as parents, the opportunity to focus on giving Karyn the grieving time she deserved and allowed us the time to only focus on her without any outside day to day life distractions. We were afforded the opportunity to express our grief in any way we needed without judgement. A Memory Grows brought us together with other parents who were grieving their children so we could be with other parents that truly understood our pain and could support each other. We want Karyn’s legacy to be lived out through A Memory Grows because, no matter how much we hate it, parents will always be grieving a child, so we want to continue to help other parents in the grieving process. All Karyn ever wanted to do was to help those who are suffering. We have to do it for her now.” -Clark and Temple Poché.
Please use the form below (plus $5.00 processing fee) or send a check for the $295.00 to pay the non-refundable retreat fee after completing your reservation form to hold your spot.
*Although we do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions we may not be able to meet all needs. Please let us know at the time of registration if special needs are requested.*
**Due to the limited number of rooms at our retreats, the registration fee must be paid within 48 hours of registration to hold your spot. Limited scholarship assistance is available upon request of an application. If you need more time to pay the registration fee, please contact us at the time of registration.**
Checks can be mailed to
A Memory Grows
P.O. Box 34282
Fort Worth, TX 76162
Schedule
Thursday:
Arrive after 4:30
Introductions, Tour and Dinner at 5:30
After Dinner Activity
Friday:
Breakfast
Mom/Dad Separate Activity
Lunch
Afternoon Group Outing/Activity
Dinner
Painting With Your Heart
Cookout/Smores
Saturday:
Breakfast
Legacy Activity
Lunch
Group Counseling Session focused on Grief and Relationships
Free Evening to chat, play games, do activities, swim, sit by the fire pit, etc.
Sunday:
Breakfast
Closing Group Ritual
Checkout at 11:00