A Memory Grows is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves as an outreach to grieving parents, and as a resource to hospitals, clinics, hospice groups, churches and other nonprofit organizations.
Retreat Experiences
“October 15th was our first unborn child’s due date. So it just all fit perfectly that I found this great event to attend. I surprised her with a date night and the first thing she did was cry. She was worried and apprehensive about people seeing her cry, until she saw others hurting/healing too. We loved it. You guys don’t understand how much you helped our family. We can breathe again. We know the future may still have ups and downs and setbacks…but now we have hope. Now we know we are not alone in this. Thank you for everything”
“My husband and I attended our first retreat honoring our twins that passed away in October. This was such a special time for us to talk about our children and meet other parents that have been through something similar. We took away new lifelong friendships and items we made honoring our children. We were nervous going in and by the end of the weekend we did not want to leave. DeAndrea has a big heart and truly cares for each family. We are so glad we went. It was a very special weekend.”
“My husband and I just returned from the School Aged Child Loss Retreat at the Iron Horse Inn in Granbury. We are so thankful we had the opportunity to spend this time together in the fellowship of other grieving families and under the thoughtful, caring and extremely insightful guidance of DeAndrea Dare. We felt safe and comfortable sharing our story, learning about the grief process and learning ways that we can carry on and move forward while always remembering and honoring the life and legacy of our son.”
It was such a blessing to be able to gather with other women who are walking the same journey I am. I loved listening to each of their stories even if my heart broke a little more each time. But there is healing in coming together and making new friends. We each lit a candle with our child’s name after we told their story. We had a great panel discussion, lunch in a beautiful venue, and ended with a wind chime craft. And I’m looking forward to the couples retreat when we each get to make a quilt square.
Resources
When navigating the journey of grief it is often helpful to read what others have written, find helpful tools for the day, be inspired by another’s courage or even to sit and listen to the words of music.
These resources are helpful for both the parent who has lost a child as well as others who desire to provide the gift of presence and meaningful support to those who are grieving.
Blog
To the dads grieving on Father’s Day: We see you!
A column written for the Dallas Morning News on June 16, 2019 by DeAndrea DareNothing can be said that can fix this pain or mend the hole in your heart that is the exact shape of your child. There is nothing that can be done to fill that void. But, what those of us who grieve our children who died want to tell you is this.To the dads who grieve on Father's Day:A day like today is bittersweet. It is a day of celebration and honor, a day set aside to say thank you, to you. But the one (or ones) who should be thanking you, giving you cards, presenting you with yet another tie, are not here. It is a day filled with what should be, but what is not. Of what could have been, but instead is so different.What can we say on this day, where words fall
Mother’s Day Dallas Morning News Article
The following was published in the Dallas Morning News on 5-12-17. Mother's Day for many is a celebration full of great joy. For others, it is one of the hardest days of the year. Advertisers deem that the day be full of beautiful pictures and posts on social media, balloons, flowers, cards, sunshine and fancy brunches. But for many the day is a reminder of the empty chair, the phone call that will not come, the handmade cards scrawled with "Mommy" that will not be created. It's another day filled with the what-ifs, the should-have-beens, and the hopes and dreams that did not turn out as planned. For some, the day is hard because their mothers are no longer living. Many have always missed the presence of supporting and loving mothers in their lives. For others, Mother's Day is a day of longing for children they have can't have.