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Welcome to the July issue of our Helping Parents Heal Newsletter!  Hello, beautiful Shining Light Parents!  We are glad you have found us.  This newsletter is a space that allows us to share our amazing children. We are all in this together.  We understand and we walk the same path. Thank you for your compassion and for the constant support you provide.  Together, we will help each other heal!

For those of you in Arizona, please be sure to attend our Phoenix/Scottsdale July meeting on July 21st, as I lead parents in a Guided Meditation, called Yoga Nidra, to connect with our children in spirit.   Please bring a towel, a blanket, and a pillow if possible.  It will be held from 1-3 pm at Unity of Phoenix; please click here to RSVP and learn more! 

Our Second Helping Parents Heal Conference, April 16-19, 2020, in Charleston, SC!
Our 2020 HPH Banner

Our wonderful Conference Director, Irene Vouvalides, is hard at work on our Second Helping Parents Heal Conference in Charleston, SC, which will be from April 16-19, 2020!  Over 450 parents have already signed up.  We hope that you can join us! 

The registration price of $279 includes a Welcome Cocktail Reception on Thursday evening with appetizers and unlimited beer and wine, three breakfasts (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and two lunches (Friday and Saturday). The room rate for the Charleston Marriott will be $212 per night and registration is now open!  Please click here to register for the hotel. 

Suzanne Giesemann, Susanne Wilson, Karen Newell and Dr. Eben Alexander, Jeffery Olsen, Dr. Jeffrey O'Driscoll, Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley, Dr. Raymond Moody, David Kessler, Dr. Mary Neal, Mark Anthony, Jake Samoyedny, Tina Powers, Dr. Mark Pitstick, Maureen Hancock, Jamie Clark, Rick and Beth Olsen, David Router, Mark Ireland, Ernie Jackson, Christine Salter, Nicole Reilly, Melinda Kushner, Kim Griffin, Kat Baillie, Michelle Clare, Fara Gibson and Debra Martin will all be presenting at our conference. 

We are thrilled that many of the esteemed presenters from our first conference will be returning to this conference! You can register for the conference by clicking here! 

The Significance of Shining Light Parent by Suzanne Giesemann

“We need another name for those of us with children in the afterlife.”
This suggestion came in an email from my dear friend Irene Vouvalides while discussing my upcoming book with our friend Elizabeth Boisson.

I found it no coincidence that she and Elizabeth had raised an issue I had been grappling with while reading through the finished manuscript of Still Right Here, my soon-to-be-released book about families with a child who has passed.  Elizabeth is the co-founder of Helping Parents Heal, an organization whose stated purpose is to assist bereaved parents, giving them support and resources to aid in the healing process.  Irene serves on the board of directors of this amazing support group that goes a step beyond other groups.  Helping Parents Heal openly encourages discussions of spiritual experiences and evidence of the afterlife.

Unlike other grief support groups, Helping Parents Heal meetings are often uplifting events.  Most members of Helping Parents Heal eventually come to know that our children who have passed continue to be active members of our families.  Members who are farther along in their healing journeys serve as examples to others that we need not remain forever in a state of grief.  In fact, as I put on my creative hat to come up with a new term to replace “bereaved,” I realized that with the awareness that life is eternal, we move from bereaved to relieved!

Knowing that the greatest insights come when we seek guidance from Higher Consciousness, I closed my eyes and aligned with my guides, Sanaya.  I asked them to give us an uplifting term that more adequately describes those of us with children in the spirit world.  I set the intention that the term would not downplay or deny our physical loss, but acknowledge our awareness that our loved ones in spirit continue to play an active part in our lives.

As I awaited a response, several texts arrived from both Irene and Elizabeth.  One of them suggested “Angel Mom,” but we needed a term that didn’t perpetuate stereotypical images of the afterlife.  A few highly evolved souls may advance directly to the more refined angelic realms after completing their earthly lessons.  Most spirits in the astral realm, however, continue living, learning, and growing in their new world much as we do here.

As we bounced ideas back and forth, I marveled that our traditional vocabulary doesn’t allow us to express our new status in anything less than depressing terms.  I realized that we needed an entirely new term.  I thought about my relationship with my step-daughter Susan and realized that the term “step-parent” made no logical sense.  The meaning of “step” had to be explained the first time a person heard it.

This line of reasoning led me to think about a group I now belong to:  the Gold Star Parents.  The term represents mothers of a child who was killed or died while on active duty in the military, like our Susan.  Ty and I proudly display a red and white rectangular sticker on our car with a gold star in the middle to indicate our status as Gold Star Parents.  While sobering, this symbol and the term “Gold Star Parent” imbue us with pride in our daughter’s service as a Marine.  Why couldn’t we come up with a unique term to replace “bereaved parents” and educate those who hear it about its positive new meaning?

As so often happens, the moment we stopped trying to find such a term, the space created in the silence allowed room for higher insights.  “Shining Light Parents,” dropped into my mind like the gift from above that it was, and I instantly knew we had a winner.

I texted Irene and Elizabeth as fast as my thumbs could peck out the letters.  “It has a great double meaning,” I wrote excitedly.  “Our children are beautiful shining lights, and as we come to know that they’re still right here, we become shining lights for others on the journey!”

“It’s so uplifting!” Irene texted back.  “No heaviness, no sadness or sorrow.”
“I love it!” Elizabeth wrote, casting her vote.
I knew our kids had a say in this as well, and I sent a wave of gratitude to them and my guides just as a final text arrived from Irene.
“I am beyond happy about this!” she wrote.

I smiled, thinking back to a recent conference she and I attended in Arizona.  Five hundred kindred souls gathered to share and learn about the latest research and discoveries in afterlife communication.  The feeling of love among those gathered was palpable and noticed by those new to such an event.  Yet one small group stood out from the rest for their frequent laughter, joyous energy, and enviable camaraderie.  Their lights shined so brightly that others began to call them “the happy group.”

While I was sitting with this group, a friend walked up to me and asked, “Who are these people?”  The  unspoken follow-up to her question was “And why are they having more fun than everyone else?”
“Well,” I said, “they’re here to celebrate their kids and to learn new ways to strengthen their connection with them across the veil.  They’re all members of Helping Parents Heal.”

My friend’s eyes widened and she visibly shrank back.  I smiled gently, understanding.  My friend is a mother, and no one would consciously choose to join this group of . . . what?  Bereaved parents?  Hardly.  Throughout the weekend this band of courageous souls stood out as the Shining Lights they are, radiating strength, inner peace, and most of all love. They are parents on a mission:  to help others heal through the awareness that those who pass are still right here and that love unites us all.

Elizabeth, Irene, and I are well aware that those who are healing from a recent passing often cannot imagine ever smiling again.  Trust us, we’ve been there.  During the initial stages of grief, it is not you, but your child in spirit who is the Shining Light.  In that regard, identifying yourself as a Shining Light Mom or Shining Light Dad acknowledges that your child’s bright light will always shine in your heart.  It is their light that keeps you going.  In the beginning, we are the parents of a shining light, and yes, of course, you are bereaved.

Moment by moment, however, thanks to the unmistakable signs from our children across the veil, the undeniable synchronicities, and the support from others who have been on the journey longer than you have, you begin to feel the light within yourself once again.  You no longer feel resentful of the formerly bereaved parents who smile and laugh.  In fact, from time to time you find yourself doing the same.  You begin to shine again, and your child on the other side of the veil rejoices in your growth.

And then one day, a newly bereaved parent approaches you and says, “I see how far you’ve come, and seeing you gives me hope.  I’m not where you are just yet, but I want to be.”  It is in that moment that you realize that yes, you are the parent of a Shining Light, and you are also a parent whose light shines for those who need to find their way.  It no longer feels right to call yourself a “bereaved parent.”  You have graduated to full status as a Shining Light Parent.

The death of a child transforms us.  At first, it feels like the end of the world until you learn that your loved one lives on in a world that interpenetrates our own.  In my unexpected work as a medium, the irrefutable evidence shared with me by thousands of souls who have passed has proven to me that death is merely a transition to another reality.  We naturally mourn the lack of instant communication and the physical presence of our children, but as we grope for answers and understanding we find unexpected gifts.  One of the greatest of these is the fact that our human nature is only a small part of who we really are as eternal souls.

Life is about the ongoing growth of the soul, whether here or in the hereafter.  The light of the soul may grow dim temporarily as you face life’s inevitable challenges, but that spark never goes out.  Your shining lights on the other side know each other now by their radiance, and they see yours.  May we celebrate the eternal life of all of those who have passed by making every effort to turn up our lights in their honor.
* * *
The symbol shown here is the winner of an online contest for a symbol to identify and honor Shining Light Parents and their Shining Lights across the veil.  The plan is for the term and the logo to become known and recognized worldwide as a positive symbol of the brave souls who are walking one of the toughest paths life has to offer.  

This story has already been published in our newsletter and distributed at our First Conference, but it is helpful to allow parents who have not read Suzanne's explanation of this very important term, to do so.  Learn more about Suzanne Giesemann on her website by clicking here.  

Susanne Wilson and Suzanne Giesemann combined their many talents to teach 'Getting to Know Your Spirit Guides' in Washington DC from July 13-14, 2019
 
The Caring ListenersLinda McCarthy, Ernie Jackson, Glenda Pearson, Suzi Smith, Tracy Soussi, Lisa Laniewski, Tywana Smith, Brian Smith, David Alison, Jeff Hollahan, Lynn Hollahan and Suzanne Klokkenga of the Caring Listeners

Twelve wonderful Caring Listeners, led by Linda McCarthy, are willing to talk in person, by phone, or on a video-conference call like Skype or Zoom.  They each are bereaved parents who are now shining brightly – most of the time – and want to help others.  Please click here to learn more!

Dr. Mark Pitstick and his book 'SoulProof'

Evolved Souls Don’t Need Long Earthly Lives
July 2019
by Mark Pitstick, MA, DC 

To all parents, I am very sorry about the physical death of your child.  However, I am glad you are open to learning how to heal and transform.  Six key understandings to making that shift are:

1. Your child is alive and well in another phase of forever.

2. Only his physical body died.  Everything else continues eternally: all the love, light, energy, humor, personality, memory, energetic and subtle bodies, and much more.  Really knowing this allows you to journey from seeing yourself as a bereaved to a shining light parent. 

3. She is happy, peaceful, and enthusiastic – and wants you to be that way now.

4. You will see her when you pass on and can enjoy relationships with her now.
 
5. You can choose to transmute your grief into a spiritually transformative experience that powerfully improves your life and blesses others.

6. You can heal and increase the gifts from his life by lovingly serving others 
   
Many parents have realized this great news and are living happy and fulfilling lives again.  You can do the same.  It’s not easy and doesn’t happen overnight, but it is possible with small steps day by day.  Here are five action steps . . .

1. Attend local and online Helping Parents Heal (HPH) meetings
2. Call The Caring Listeners to talk at no charge.
3. Read relevant Foundational Articles for Healing & Transforming on SoulProof.com and take action steps. 
4. Listen to my free Radio Shows and our answers to life’s toughest questions including why children die. 
5. Lean on others then later, when you are doing better, pay it forward.

1. God is not a big bearded guy in the sky who unilaterally decides who dies when and how.  That outmoded image arose in ancient Greece and Rome; it’s definitely time to expand our understandings about the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.  That’s why Dr. Gary Schwartz and I used the term E.L.G.O.D. in our book Greater Reality Living.  That acronym stands for the Energizing, Loving, Guiding, Organizing, and Designing power/presence that is behind – and is – all life. 
    
2. Your son didn’t die, just his earthly form did.  His earth-suit was an infinitesimally small and transient part of all that he really is.  He, you, and everyone else are integral, evolving, and eternal parts of Life.  We each are forever beings of love, energy, light, intelligence, humor, consciousness, and much more. 
    
3. Since we each are part of E.L.G.O.D. now and always, we – not a huge dictator who resides above – decide when and how we pass on from this earthly experience.  God didn’t cause or allow your child’s death.  Your child’s eternal essence – in tandem with his higher energy assistants and the Light – decided it was time to move on. 
    
4. While living on earth, most people can only glimpse a tiny fraction of all that exists.  That’s why they understandably wrestle with such questions that seem to be problematic via their limited sense perceptions.  Those who see more of reality – who view life with their minds and heart – know that life unfolds in totally safe and meaningful ways.  More awakened people remember that love is eternal and human experiences are truly just a blink of an eye in the span of eternity. 
    

1. Use prayer, meditation, yoga, time in nature, or other centering practices daily to quiet your brain’s incessant worrying and analyzing based on incomplete data.  Over time, these practices can help you better remember who you are, why you are here, that your son is very near, and there is a rhyme and reason behind this seemingly horrific scenario.
    
2. Use the six understandings and five action steps listed above to heal and transform. 
    
3. Serve and help others to upgrade/transmute your pain, sadness, anger, etc. to deeper love, acceptance, peace, and understanding. 
    
4. Optimally care for yourself via strategies in article #12 Holistically Fine-Tuning Yourself.      

University-based scientific research has definitively demonstrated that life continues after bodily death.  How might this news change the way you live and treat yourself and others?
 
-Hugs, love, peace, awakening, gratitude, and blessings, 
-Mark
 
Note: I mention my products so you know all the information/strategies needed for healing and transformation.  Let me know if you truly cannot afford them and we’ll send digital copies.
 
Disclaimer: This information is not designed to replace medical or psychological care.  Dr. Pitstick’s recommendations are based on forty-five years of training and experience in hospitals, pastoral counseling settings, mental health centers, and holistic health practice.  Some of his statements are supported by clinical and scientific data while others are based on empirical evidence and his best current understandings.  

Mark Pitstick, MA, DC is an author, masters clinical psychologist, holistic chiropractic physician, frequent media guest, and workshop/webinar teacher.  He also trained in pastoral counseling and suicide prevention.  Mark directs the SoulPhone Foundation, co-founded Greater Reality Living groups, and is a board member of Helping Parents Heal.  His mission is to help you know and show that this earthly experience is a totally safe, meaningful, and magnificent adventure amidst forever.

Fellowship and Coincidences 
Kristine and Ernie Jackson

Chance Meetings

For as long as I can remember, recognizing the importance of aligning with folks who help me grow and learn in some way is vital.  In hindsight, this may have begun when I was twenty-one years old, sitting across from a senior-level property manager with piercing pale blue eyes.  He told me to be wise about whom I surrounded myself with, as there are eagles and turkeys.  The eagles, having strengths different than our own, will stretch us and help us to grow. However, he explained that turkeys would put us on a platform and idolize us, ultimately slowing our progress. 

Since that time, this lesson has stuck with me and guided my efforts.  It is with that thought in mind, being a commercial property manager for most of my career, I attended the Building Owners and Managers Association luncheon on June 19^th.  Once there, I ended up sitting with a gentleman who shared some cutting edge technology that would benefit me in the industry.  This is an example of what I am talking about; it is important to meet people who know something that you don’t and then get to know them better.  I arranged to meet him for lunch on July 1^st.

We met at the appointed time and discussed what his company had to offer and all its benefits in depth.  I was asking and he was telling, and the more he shared, the more I asked.  After nearly an hour, something came up and I told him a bit about myself which of course centered on Quinton and the ways he opened my eyes to the fact that 1. There is no death, 2. Nobody dies, and 3. Nobody is lost.  After I shared, he shared a bit of his own journey and something with which he was presently grappling.

He shared that he was on the Board of Trustees on his Church and deeply involved in its mission that included occasionally delivering sermons.  He further shared that just a few weeks prior, the head Minister’s son transitioned by suicide.  There were not any indications that his son was hurting in any way, but had recently been placed on a different medication.  This is the only cause that they have been able to come up with, but he confided in me that he was desperate to find a way to support his Minister, who is struggling.  Of course, he is struggling, he and his family are now walking the path we know so well.  As the conversation lead us to supporting his Minister, I realized this was the true purpose of our lunch, as I marveled out loud at God’s mysterious ways. We had met twelve days prior.  A chance meeting, sitting next to a stranger that resulted with our lunch, solely for the purpose of a chance to help a man, his family and his friend who sat across the table from me.

And so it is for all of us, those of us who remain, finding individual and collective ways to honor our transitioned children by standing resolute, continuing to strive and being of service.  We know not where the quiet voice will lead and why we meet certain people when we meet them.  On occasion, the one we meet is somebody who has something to share with us that will help us in some way, and other times, we are the one who is blessed to be of service in some way.  Isn’t it incredible?  It is said, there are no coincidences.  In fact, some say that what we consider a coincidence is actually a God-incidence, pointing us to do something or shift our direction.

There is purpose for us now, even after our child has transitioned; perhaps even a greater purpose.  If you can’t see it, you will.  Being here after the tragedy is a gift, a gift from our child or children.  Here we stand, having had a glimpse of a much, much larger universe that our child/children have shown us with their visits and their signs.  Our remaining time here is a gift with the opportunity for accelerated spiritual growth; a gift from our child. What are you going to do with this gift?  It is not a curse – It is a gift.  If you can’t see it, we can help open your eyes and show you. 

If you are here reading this, you are on the path; a path that you and your child agreed you would take even before you were born.

I wish you all the best and feel free to contact me if you have questions.  Dialogue is good.  Each of us is both teacher and student. 
 
God Bless and Namaste, Ernie and Kristine, Quinton’s Dad and Mom

-Please click here to listen to Karl Fink's interview with Ernie.
 
-Ernie Jackson is a Board Member of Helping Parents Heal, a Caring Listener and the proud father of Quinton. His two books, 'Quinton's Messages' and 'Quinton's Legacy,' are available at www.quintonsmessages.com.  

Healing Events with Talented Presenters:

Our Second Helping Parents Heal Conference in Charleston, SC 

Please join us in Charleston from April 16-19, 2020 at the Charleston Marriott for our Second Conference!  Over 450 parents have already registered; click here to join us!  We hope that you will all be a part of this healing, joyful event! 
 

Soul Summit Scottsdale

Please join Susanne Wilson as she welcomes John Holland, George Noory, Suzanne Giesemann, Howard Martin, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Vincent Genna and Elizabeth Boisson from September 12 - 15 in Scottsdale.  Click here to register.  Helping Parents Heal benefits from a special discount code for the conference: HPH_Carefree.

New Book Recommendations:
Grief 2 Growth by Brian Smith

Brian Smith is one of our Online Co-Affiliate Leaders as well as the author of an online blog about his beautiful daughter Shayna.  He has written a book that will soon be available on Amazon. 

Grief 2 Growth was conceived when I realized that a lifetime of experiences have led me to the point where I have wisdom that can be of benefit to others.   I’ve learned what works. I’ve learned what doesn’t work. I’ve developed techniques and discovered resources that I want to share with the world.

The hard times have led to the greatest growth. Those times when I thought I had been buried, I had actually been planted.

Until a seed is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many plants—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

-Written by our Helping Parents Heal - Online Co-Affiliate Leader, Brian Smith

Brian now has a podcast that is also called Grief 2 Growth.  Please click here to listen to his first 4 episodes.  

Affiliate Updates - 

Please check our 'event' schedule for all upcoming affiliate meetings

New Affiliate Leader!  Helping Parents Heal - Long Island
Patricia and Michael McHenry

About Patricia:

Although my profession is a personal trainer and Holistic Health Coach, first
I am married to Mike and I am the Mom of two children, Michael 24, here physically and Melissa, forever 18 spiritually. Melissa transitioned 2 years ago suddenly from a heart condition but has let me know since that time she is still right here with us. I have received many signs, EVP’s and visions from her letting me know she is a breath away. With the help of medium readings so validating and synchronicities that have risen my awareness even more, I have been told of the comfort I have given to people who miss her so much or who have had their own loss. I have been given a calling to heal others which in turn has helped to heal my own soul. Love never dies and I know we are forever family. Life is a journey and our paths cross each other’s for a reason and I want to help heal the hearts of grieving parents to let them become more aware that there is an afterlife.

Meetings will restart in September 2019, please email Patricia for date, location  and time: pmlynbrook@aol.com

New Affiliate Leader!  Helping Parents Heal - Pittsburg
Tracee Slagel welcomes Marilyn Vincenti

About Marilyn Vincenti:

My only child, Joshua 24, unexpectedly took his life on Thanksgiving Day 2008. Since then my life has been a continuous journey to find peace and purpose for this event my soul has come here to experience.I had already been connected to the mental health community having attained a Masters Degree in counseling/psychology. My many careers included teaching, Therapy, and Behavior Support but nothing had prepared me for such a devastating loss. I had participated in support groups and therapy and felt compassion and connection to those in my area who had also had this experience. After also losing my 90-year-old mother and 85-year-old boyfriend I embarked on a journey to find ways to hold these experiences so that my life could continue in an enlightening way.

Last summer I attended the Afterlife Research and Education Conference in Arizona and then went on to a retreat in Hawaii where I became a holistic life coach under the direction of Alan Cohen, best selling author and teacher.

Reaching out to those I knew from grief support groups, I found them to still be living in a great deal of despair and sorrow even after many years. I was reminded of my meetings with Elizabeth Boisson and Caroline Chang (Philadelphia) in Arizona and contacted Helping Parents Heal. A new affiliate had just formed in Pittsburgh and I have teamed with Tracee Slagle to have this chapter become known and active in our area here. I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to others with this group.

Helping Parents Heal - Tampa
The parents of Helping Parents Heal - Tampa

What an amazing meeting we had June 26th here in Tampa! I was fortunate to meet a wonderful artist with a gigantic, loving heart and a boatload of talent - Qinghong Wei - who graciously offered her time to our group and led us through an amazing 2-hour art experience. During our time with her, we learned that creating watercolor art allows ideas and creativity to flow, unencumbered by self-censoring thoughts and it also taps into revealing thoughts and emotions that somehow just magically appear, particularly when we used on non-dominate (right brain) hand. That hand had so much to teach us!! Our parents loved it as a cathartic, peaceful and very enjoyable way to share our experience in yet another way.

One of the most delightful aspects of the evening was when Qinghong had one of our members (the clever Cathy Zimmerman, one of our co-leaders) start off a story by setting a scene and each parent, in turn, adding a new part to the story. I was last so I got to tell the ending. By the time my turn came around, there was such a tangible feeling of loving energy in the room that I almost cried. The entire evening was very powerful for all of us.

I would encourage you to occasionally get away from discussing our stories and consider activities for your meetings that tap into the wisdom that our bodies channel from our hearts and minds in this world of form. This temporal existence may be just a story and not our true existence, but we can use this physical state as a gift to reveal deeper truths. Music can do it through movement; art can do it through creativity; even touch can help that connection.
https://www.starrydreamsart.com/

-Written by our Helping Parents Heal - Tampa Co-Affiliate Leader, Marla Grant

Helping Parents Heal - San Diego 
The Parents of Helping Parents Heal - San Diego

MINI WORKSHOP WITH ANGEL THE MEDIUM
Our San Diego affiliate had an extracurricular activity today, separate from our monthly meetings, and I am still on a natural high! Fourteen members gathered at Capability Ranch, a nonprofit owned by member Nikki Bridges, to “… help nurture the creative talents and abilities of children and young adults with developmental delays.”



During our workshop (4 hours that turned into 5), we learned to develop our intuitive abilities by doing practice readings. I can honestly say that each one of us left with a confidence in our abilities that far exceeded our expectations. I would never have guessed that I could do what I did today!


Angel helped us every step of the way, breaking down the process in manageable steps. He has such a talent for helping people make connections, and I feel beyond grateful for his help. His wife, Lisa, also offered advice and motivation. Both of them had a sense of humor that took the pressure off of us and made this a pleasurable rather than a stressful experience. What a difference that makes!



We also enjoyed a lovely potluck lunch followed by a tour of the ranch’s vineyard and all the animals, including several horses, a therapy pony, a BLM donkey, and two pigs. And let’s not forget Custard the canine :)



Thank you, Angel and Lisa, for an incredible and life-changing experience, and thanks to Nikki for hosting. And, many thanks to our members for participating. Grateful 🙏 <3
-Written by our San Diego Affiliate Leader, Dawn Richards

Helping Parents Heal - Online
Beth West, Tywana and Brian Smith and Tracy Soussi, our Wonderful Online Affiliate Leaders at our First Conference

Our wonderful lineup of upcoming Online Speakers:
From left to right:

-Christina Rasmussen, Grief Educator and Shining Light Parent, July 18
-Sandy Thorpe, Evidential Medium on July 24th
-Laurie St Clare, Astrologer and Psychic Medium/Healer on August 5th
-Elizabeth Boisson, President, and Cofounder of Helping Parents Heal on August 12th
-Cathi Marcus, Spiritual and Intuitive Experience Coach on August 21st
-Suzanne Giesemann, Messenger of Hope on September 23rd
-Debra Diamond, Author, Psychic Medium and Death Doula on October 5th
-Sandra Champlain of We Don't Die Radio and Author on October 21st

The Online Group welcomed Gemma Deller on July 8thGemma Deller, Psychic Medium and Intuitive Advisor

My goodness - Please watch Gemma Geller - Psychic Medium & Intuitive Advisor - so enlightening and hopeful!

Please click here to view.

-Tracy Soussi, CoAffiliate Leader of Helping Parents Heal - Online

Please be sure to join our online 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.

Helping Parents Heal - Tucson
Isabella Johnson - the Soul Reading Medium

Thank you to all who were at the meeting on July 14th. Much gratitude to Isabella Johnson for helping our parents and answering questions.

-Written by our Tucson Co-Affiliate Leader, Terri Petz

Helping Parents Heal - Flagstaff
Janean Bentley Quigley and Sean, Dana Middlebrook and Cole

We had 7 in attendance at our HPH - Flagstaff Meeting on July 7th. We kept it simple by going around the circle with brief introductions, a recent sign from spirit/loved ones, and something that inspires us that we could share with the group like a book or a podcast or a meditation. 
Hearing each other’s stories inspired more stories and we went over our normal time but all were uplifted. Synchronicities were noted and happened in real-time as we shared. Lisa Wilcoxson was tuned in and had messages for some parents that were so spot on!! ❤️

Some of our inspiring ideas were:
Signs- by Laura Lynne Jackson(book)
Dying to be me- Anita Moorjani(book)
Nature walks/hikes
Meditation
Seeing and feeling love and gratitude 
Recognizing the need for self-care
Performing self-care with exercise and naps
“Put your feet on the earth” for grounding and connection
EMDR- for the continual playback of the traumatic scenes that may stay in the foreground of our thoughts

There was a book lending table and a few really good books went into the hands of parents as they left.

There is such a healing power for all when we share our journey. 💚.💖💖

-Love and Light, Janean Bentley Quigley, Co-Affiliate Leader of Helping Parents Heal - Flagstaff

Helping Parents Heal - Ventura CountyGloria Burciaga and Healing Crystals from her meeting

July’s Ventura County HPH Meeting was joined by parents from 2-3 hours away. Each parent got a Healing Crystal & We all joined in on a healing Meditation🙏 
Song of the night: Lost Boy by Ruth B 🦋

-Written by our Helping Parents Heal - Ventura County Affiliate Leader, Gloria Burciaga

Helping Parents Heal - Fort Myers, FL
We had our July meeting on the 3rd. It was good to be back as I had been unable to attend the last two.

We picked a couple of "thoughtful inquiry" cards and discussed them. Then we focused on the topic of loving ourselves which went as follows:

We are our own worst critics and, particularly in our situation, we often carry much regret and guilt. We did an exercise that helped to uncover the goodness that we all inherently have within us. This exercise also has us envision how someone we love and knows us well sees us through their eyes. We noticed and experienced the feeling of goodness that it elicited and brought that to our own experience, allowing ourselves to accept these qualities. It can be a difficult task when we are so used to "beating ourselves up" or doing for others but not for ourselves, as if we don't deserve it.

We set the intention to begin noticing when self-criticism arises and speak to ourselves the way we would to someone we love in a similar situation. We also set the intention to cultivate our strengths. There is a quiz you can take that helps with this endeavor. You can find it at the VIA Institute and it is free. https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register

There is evidence that focusing on our strengths vs our weaknesses enhances well-being and happiness. There is a free course from Yale that you can take at your own pace. I highly recommend it!
https://www.businessinsider.com/coursera-yale-science-of-wellbeing-free-course-review-overview

-Laura Baltodano, our Fort Myers Affiliate Leader

Helping Parents Heal - Tampa
Marla Grant, Amy Diehl and her son Chris and Cathy Zimmerman

HPH Tampa had a wonderful meeting on May 29th - one of our bi-monthly parents only meetings where we tap into the wisdom of those on the same path with us. We love the intuitive gifts of our presenters and mediums but know that there is much inspiration to be gained from each other too.

Prior to the meeting, Amy, Cathy and I took a cue from a post we saw some time ago by Susan Lynch (thank you, Susan!) and we created a deck of 24 Thoughtful Inquiry cards. We began the meeting with a 5-minute breath meditation then passed the deck of cards and as each parent's turn came, we drew a question and shared our thoughts. Each had the option of drawing a different card if they needed to, or to skip the card altogether and just share something else. All 14 of us had a chance to speak from the heart, from poetry to Sufi wisdom to difficulties, triumphs, and tools. It was very successful and I'm sure we'll do it again.

Peace and love to all and thank you for your shared wisdom on this journey.

-Written by Marla Grant, our HPH Tampa Co-Affiliate Leader

Helping Parents Heal - Kingston, MA
Scott and Teresa Lally

At our meeting this past Friday, June 21st, we were fortunate to have two wonderful mediums do a gallery for us. 

Our next meeting won't be until August 18. Our son's anniversary and memorial ride are in July and we will be taking some much-needed downtime.

-Written by our Kingston Affiliate Leader, Teresa Lally

Helping Parents Heal - Phoenix/ScottsdaleErnie Jackson speaks to Unity of Phoenix on June 23rd!

We had such an amazing meeting today at Unity. Ernie spoke to the group and shared his story providing so much comfort to so many new parents that attended! Many of us shared signs and stories about our kids. Thank you, Ernie and Kristine Jackson!

-Written by Carol Sanna Allen, Affiliate Leader of Cave Creek

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

Board Members of Helping Parents Heal: 
Elizabeth Boisson - President & Co-F0under/ elizabeth@helpingparentsheal.org
Irene Vouvalides - Vice President and Conference Chair/ ivouvalides@aol.com
Mark Ireland - Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board / irelandmarks@yahoo.com
Doryce Norwood / dnorwood@circlek.com
Ernie Jackson / stonejak4@hotmail.com
Dr. Mark Pitstick / mark@soulproof.com
Jason Durham - Chief Information Officer / jason@helpingparentsheal.org
Brian Smith / onlyhuman141@gmail.com
Jeff Hollahan / jeff-hollahan@cox.net

Treasurer: Theresa Wettstein/ pathwaysacctg@gmail.com
Secretary: Laurie Savoie / laurie6385@gmail.com
Admin: Celia Edwards / cdedwards@cox.net
Conference Chair: Irene Vouvalides / ivouvalides@aol.com
Affiliate Directors: Dawn Richards and Mary Bertun / HPHALDirector@gmail.com

Amazon Smile Program - Help us make our 2020 Conference more affordable!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!   

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 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 content. Helping Parents Heal is a non-profit Corporation

Mission Statement of Helping Parents Heal: Our mission is to help bereaved parents, 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