Welcome to the March issue of our Helping Parents Heal Newsletter!  

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!  

Once again, this month's newsletter contains stories of validation and spiritual growth.  We hope that it will bring some peace and comfort to you and your loved ones.  Sending love, light and warm memories to each one of you as you navigate this bittersweet time.  You are not alone.

-Elizabeth Boisson, Co-Founder and President of Helping Parents Heal, Newsletter Editor and Affiliate Leader for Scottsdale/Phoenix.
Our January Scottsdale meeting with Psychic Medium Christine Salter (in pink, front row) with some of the parents who attended.

Our 5-Year Anniversary-
A Short History of Helping Parents Heal
Morgan at the Base Camp of Mount Everest in Tibet-he spreads his angel wings for his last picture on earth.  

Hello, wonderful Parents!  As you all know, our group is enormously important to me.  Laurie Savoie, a dear friend and fellow member of our group, asked me to write the story of how 'Helping Parents Heal' began.  I thought it over and realized that it would be a good idea.  It is nice to be able to thank everyone who has been a part its creation.  More importantly, I want to let everyone know that our group came together because of our incredible children. They work hard to heal us from the Other Side.  

When my son Morgan passed on October 20th, 2009 at the Base Camp of Mount Everest in Tibet from severe altitude sickness, I was fortunate to speak to him by phone.  Although Morgan no longer had a heartbeat and was undergoing CPR, I asked his roommate to put the phone to his ear.  I told Morgan that we were very proud of him, that we loved him more than words could say, and that he should not be afraid.  I knew in my heart that he was not going to survive - it was devastating.  At the same time, the minute that Morgan passed, I felt him hug me from the inside.  It was an incredible, all-encompassing sensation that took my fear and sadness away.  I knew he was with us and that he would be there whenever we needed him. From that moment forward, I had one foot in this world and one foot on the Other Side.  I realized that love never dies.  It became my mission to let parents know that their children who have passed are happy and loved.  And that they want only one thing for us – that we also be happy.  

Several days after Morgan passed, I created our Facebook group, originally called ‘Parents United in Loss’.  I wanted to give all of our children the possibility to be honored and remembered on their Birthdays and Angel Dates.  I realized how significant these dates were to me, and I was sure that they were equally important to other parents (and to their children!).  The group quickly grew and I knew that our kids were uniting to allow us to connect and heal. Although spending time meeting parents over the Internet was a blessing, I also felt that I needed to hold monthly meetings so that I could reach out to parents in person.   

Our first group meeting was held in February 2010 in a beautiful home with healing energy in Cave Creek called 'Casa Mariposa'.  I asked Mark Ireland, the author of “Soul Shift-Finding Where the Dead Go”, to be our guest speaker.  He had kindly given his book to Psychic Medium Susanne Wilson to deliver to me during a reading at my home the month before.  Susanne and Mark had met at an event with Psychic Medium Jamie Clark.  Mark's son Brandon had also died while on a mountain.  I immediately read the book and felt a connection to Mark.

25 parents came to that first meeting, and the discussion about Mark’s book was amazing.  Over the past five years, our group has held almost 60 monthly meetings here in Arizona.

In March of 2012, after being known as ‘Parents United in Loss’ for the first two years, Mark suggested that we join forces to create a new group, ‘Helping Parents Heal’, that would welcome affiliate chapters.  He established our mission statement, a beautiful expression of the group’s ideals: “To help parents who have lost children, giving them support and resources to aid in the healing process. We go a step beyond other groups by allowing the open discussion of spiritual experiences and evidence for the afterlife, but 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.” Doryce Norwood, our pro bono attorney, put together the necessary documentation for us to get started. Almost immediately, many wonderful chapter leaders around the country and in Ottawa, Canada volunteered to help. These remarkable people are earth angels.  They are selfless, compassionate and have spent hours of their time helping to heal the grief of parents in their own hometowns.  Please see our affiliate leader bios and info below.

There were 8 original Founding Members who met to form ‘Helping Parents Heal’; Mark, myself, Anne Puryear, Celia Edwards, Doryce Norwood, Lynne Hollahan, Nita Erickson and Justine Schrimsher.  Mark designed our website, www.helpingparentsheal.info, with information about providers, affiliate groups, recommended reading, archived issues of our newsletter and helpful videos.  Justine became the editor of our newsletter and published the first ten issues.  I took over the position in January of 2014.  

Anne and her husband, Dr. Herb Puryear, founders of The Logos Center, graciously invited us to move our meetings to their beautiful sanctuary in Scottsdale. While there, they kindly allowed parents to access the Threshold Room, a space that they created to allow connections with loved ones on the Other Side and to experience past life regressions.  After two years of meeting at The Logos Center, the Puryears sold their church in early 2014 and we regrettably held our last meeting in February of that year.  

Since that time, Unity of Phoenix has welcomed our group with open arms. ‘Helping Parents Heal’ is now a 501C3 with nonprofit status thanks to the hard work of Doryce.  We currently have a board that is made up of 5 members; myself, Mark, Doryce, Ernie Jackson (author of "Quinton's Messages") and Sheri Perl Migdol (our NYC affiliate leader, creator of The Prayer Registry and author of "Lost and Found-A Mother Connects Up with Her Son in Spirit").  Mark has since moved to Oregon and Ernie now lives in Colorado.  We hope to someday have affiliate groups in those states as well.

Over the past five years, our Arizona chapter has welcomed many talented speakers who have generously given their time and energy to the group, including Susanne Wilson, Jamie Clark, Tina Powers, Debra Wilson and Sheri Getten, Dr. Lisa Strohman, Christine Salter, Dr. Sandi Howlett, Dr. Herb and Anne Puryear, Dan Mayasich, Thaddeus Ferguson, Ernie and Kristine Jackson, Linda Anderson,  and Sheri and Jerry Migdol. Many of these speakers offered an alternative to traditional grief therapy.   Our goal was to give parents the opportunity to connect with their children through mediumship, Yoga, music, guided meditation, mirror gazing, automatic writing and spiritual healing.  It has been uplifting to see how our group has evolved and flourished.  

Here are some truths that I have learned along the way:  No matter what we believe, we will all end up in Heaven.  We are all children of God, and God is inside each of us.  This life is our 'school', our children are now 'home'.  We must make each day count in honor of our children.  Feeling happy makes our children happy.  When we are reunited with them, it will be as though not a minute has passed.  Animals are natural healers.  No one truly understands the loss of a child like someone who has lost a child.  The friends I have made on this journey are my soul mates.  And most importantly, helping others heals.

We are glad that you found us and we know that it is because of your beautiful children.  They work diligently behind the scenes to unite us.  If you do not have an affiliate group in your area, perhaps you might be interested in learning about becoming an affiliate leader.  If so, please email me at boissonelizabeth@gmail.com.  We thank you sharing this difficult journey.  Together, we will help each other heal.  

-Written by Elizabeth Boisson

Yogi Thaddeus Ferguson
Our upcoming February Scottsdale Meeting with Yogi Thaddeus Ferguson

Our December meeting with Thaddeus Ferguson was wonderfully helpful and healing.  Thaddeus is a Yogi and a Prayer Chaplain at Unity of Phoenix.  He taught us Yoga movements to heal grief and led us in a Guided Mediation through Yoga that allowed all of us to connect with our children.  Thaddeus will be returning to host our group at our February 26th meeting at Unity of Phoenix from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  Please join us!  Wear comfortable clothing and bring a pillow and a blanket if you'd like. You can RSVP on the 'events' tab on Facebook here.  

Affiliate Corner
Paige Lee in Boise, Idaho
Paige and her son Brian
We are thrilled to welcome Paige Lee as our new Boise affiliate group leader.  She held her first meeting of Helping Parents Heal - Boise in January.  
Please join her for her monthly meetings if you are in the area, and read more about her and Bryan in the affiliate group information below!  'Believe', a poem that Paige channelled through Brian, can be read on the opposite column.

Irene Vouvalides in Hilton Head, South Carolina
Mike and Carly
Irene Vouvalides, our new Hilton Head, South Carolina Affiliate leader, let me know about a beautiful article that was written by her daughter Carly's boyfriend, Mike Hughes, entitled 'I Fell in Love with a Dying Woman' in Cosmopolitan Magazine.  Please click here to read the inspiring article.

The Healing Power of Animals-
Terrie Lenventhal and Her Adorable Maltipoo Rescue, Hope
Michael and Eric, Hope and Terrie

Hope Healed my Heart
Although it had been expected for several years, and having verbalized it to friends and family, it still took my breath away that early morning as I heard my oldest son Eric's voice on the phone. 

"What's wrong?" I'd asked, still mostly asleep but, having seen his name on caller ID, I was concerned. My youngest son, Michael, spent an inordinate amount of time in ambulances and ERs due to his severe asthma. 

"We're at the hospital. Michael killed himself." Those seven words haven't left my mind. I still hear them in Eric's voice. 

As I sat up in bed I realized I wasn't breathing. I had no reaction although I'd been "practicing" for a few weeks. What was there to say? I was sad but relieved. In shock but wouldn't allow myself to freak out. I didn't scream. I didn't cry. I just sat there in the dark. 

"How are you, Eric? How's dad? And Corey? After he brought me up to date, I asked the toughest thing for him to answer.  "How? I need to know everything. I want details." 

Michael had hung himself.  His dad found him in the living room. Corey helped cut him down and they began CPR. Michael was already long gone but they were desperate. Later Corey found Michael's last two selfies on his cellphone. That last picture of him with the rope around his neck is very important to me. 

After returning to AZ from the funeral in PA, I had to endure the summer heat. I had nowhere to go and couldn't afford the gas, so I stayed in my apartment. Each day blended into the next. Eventually my routine became one of bed --> living room --> kitchen --> bed. I tried to crochet the scarves I donate to the homeless but I just didn't feel up to it. My brain had gone flat. Nothing interested me. And it was way too hot. In addition to grief I was experiencing cabin fever. My leg muscles became atrophied to the point that I had to hold onto furniture just to walk to the bathroom. 

I am disabled with 15 broken vertebrae, 7 heart attacks, COPD, and an autoimmune muscle disease. I'm 60 and my only income is SSD. I suffered from chronic depression for decades before Michael died. I hadn't wanted to continue living for many years. Now I saw no purpose at all. I was just taking up space and resources on an overcrowded planet. No longer a productive member of society, I had become a taker of public services. 

On Sunday, September 28 all that was the "grieving me" changed. My "new normal" of lying in bed all day took a dramatic turn. A friend had asked me when I was finally going to get a dog. I said I just still wasn't ready for the responsibility. 

About two hours later, at Halo Shelter in Metro Center, I adopted Hope. It wasn't planned. She and I just happened to be there at the same time. She's a little Maltese-Poodle mix called a Maltipoo. All white with black eyes and little black nose. She was about five months old and just the sweetest puppy. She was so calm and relaxed as I held her in my arms for the first time. I was shaking so much as I signed the adoption papers. Not because I wasn't confident in my decision about her; I was worried that I'd make some stupid mistake or feed her at the wrong time or the wrong food. I had no confidence in myself. And I was still using a walker! How could I walk a dog? 

Once home, I began meeting my neighbors. I'd been in the apartment complex for over seven months and knew absolutely nobody. I'd been totally alone in a self-imposed isolation. Now, walking a puppy caused me to both exercise my legs and meet others. Some have dogs, some don't, but everyone stopped to play with Hope. 

She and I have been rescuing each other now for a little over four months. I have so many friends and acquaintances in my complex and we sometimes visit with each other. We share dog treat recipes, make food for each other, and check up on each other's health situations.  

Hope is my rescuer more than I hers. I merely provided a home, food, and love. She however has given me my life back. I'm meeting people. I have a little play buddy. My muscles are able to hold me up since we take five short walks every day. I can laugh when I play tug-of-war and our own version of fetch (I'm the one who has to fetch). She gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Hope healed my heart. 

-Written by Michael, Eric and Hope’s Mom, Terrie 

Helpful, Healing Books

The Ripple Effect - Invisible Impact of Suicide
by Laurie Savoie

The Ripple Effect and Laurie Savoie, Garrett's Mom

Laurie's beautiful book is an amazing resource and a tender tribute to her son Garrett. If only everyone who contemplates suicide could read it and understand how much they are truly loved. The passages that touched me the most were written by Garrett's sisters, Chantal and Kailee. I could imagine my girls as they relived the moment that they heard that their brother Morgan had passed. Garrett has a beautiful, caring family. And so many wonderful friends. All of them obviously love him and will forever honor his memory. This book is not only a tender tribute to Garrett; it is proof that suicide can affect any family - even those with the most affectionate and involved parents. Kailee eloquently said that "Death is supposed to be the final stage in life, a stop to suffering. But death had just become the introduction to mine." This is what this book is all about; the ripple effect of this devastating act that forever changes those who are left behind. As Chantal says: "...suicide is really fricken' terrible and devastating. If it has happened to your family or someone you love you CAN get through it just like I did. If you are thinking of taking your own life, don't. It is not worth it." Hearing this from siblings, family members and friends is so important. We know how the death of a child impacts the parents; learning about the devastating toll it takes on all of those around them is incredibly important. Laurie's message is one of healing and hope.

Please click here to order Laurie's book.
The Savoie Family-Tom, Laurie, Kailee, Chantal and Garrett 

Psychic Medium Susanne Wilson

Please click here to download a free Guided Meditation by Psychic Medium Susanne Wilson that allows us to connect with our children.  
Debra Martin and Sheri Getten
Debra and Sheri, gifted healers who have been featured in previous newsletters and have spoken at our Scottsdale meeting, are finishing a new book entitled "Direct Connect to God" that will soon be available.  We will let you know more as soon as it is available! Please click here to visit their new website!

 

Jennifer Amato Tom’s Creek, NJ
email: jennifer0702@optonline.net  
After the passing of Jennifer's 2 year old son Joey, Jennifer found support from other bereaved parents. She is now finding healing in helping other bereaved parents learn to cope with their loss. Jennifer and Christine are co-hosts for Tom’s River.

Tina Babloski-Anderson Citrus County FL
email: helpingparentsheal@yahoo.com  
Tina Babloski-Anderson is a grieving mother who has learned to laugh again since the loss of her son Paul G. Babloski on October 1st, 2009. Her efforts to find comfort have led her on a journey that has not only helped to heal herself, but to bring smiles on the faces of other grieving parents. Tina said, "There is no one here in Citrus County, Florida that could understand the loss of a child, except for another parent that has experienced the same pain. So, we formed a group that supports and celebrates each other’s children. We find that by supporting each other, we can learn to laugh again.

Elizabeth Boisson-Scottsdale, AZ
email: evboisson@yahoo.com
Since the passing of her son Morgan at the Base Camp of Mount Everest due to acute altitude sickness on a student trip to Tibet in October 2009, Elizabeth has held monthly parent meetings in Arizona. She founded both the Facebook site, ‘Parents United in Loss’ in February, 2010 and then partnered with Mark Ireland to co-found ‘Helping Parents Heal’ in February 2012.  She cherishes the opportunity to meet both parents and their children in spirit.

Kristen Brown-Sanders Pensacola, FL
email: kristensanders@mcshi.com  
Kristen Brown-Sanders started The Next Step group in FL in January 2010 after her beloved daughter Sarah transitioned due to a distracted driver.  The Next Step linked in with Helping Parents Heal in 2012.

NEW GROUP - Lancy Carr-Washington DC
email: lncycrr@yahoo.com  
I have lived in Arizona since 1983. I met Karla Kay at Bikram yoga Tempe which I started doing shortly after Nathan passed away.  She told me about an event and I met Linda West, the first psychic exposure for me! It healed my heart a little and made me want to learn more. I also met Justine Schrimer at that meeting and she told me about HPH. The first meeting I knew this is what would work for me.  I have enjoyed all the support, love and hope that is shared at every meeting. I got a new job in DC in Dec 2013 and I now want to not only support this wonderful non-profit, as it has given me so much help in my grief, but to help others heal as well.

Nancy Courtmanche-Eureka, CA
email: nancycougar@gmail.com
The loss of my son Robb, 29, has made me painfully aware of the need for parents to have a group setting that is safe and confidential. Healing occurs. Out of my loss I dedicated myself to service for others in volunteer Hospice patient care and grief support, as a Hospital Chaplain, and healing work.  This has prepared me to lead an HPH group now.

Janice Crowder-Torrez-Tucson, AZ
email: jcrowdertorrez@gmail.com
Wanting to honor her son’s spirit, courage, and the many gifts he left behind, Janice discovered Helping Parents Heal in Scottsdale, AZ.  Opening the door for other parents to grieve their loss, while offering support to small groups, Janice decided to start a chapter in Tucson where she resides and her son Anthony, aged 31, took his life. Janice is a MSN and certified in Meditation.

NEW GROUP-Lori Fina Jennings-Cape Coral, FL
email: lafj1@hotmail.com 
My son died at age 30 of a drug overdose. My surviving daughter has Down Syndrome. Life has blessed me with so many unique gifts & learning opportunities. I'd like to "be there" for people as my son was. My book, Liam's Lessons, was written with the help of my son shortly after he died. Practicing Isha Yoga has been my saving grace.

Sheryl Hill-Minneapolis, Minnesota
email: sheryl.hill@me.com  
Tyler, my beautiful sixteen year old son, died a preventable death on a People to People Student Ambassador Trip to Japan in 2007. My most important achievements are being a mother, a wife, nonprofit endeavors with the Clear Cause Foundation (to keep American children and students safe on foreign soil) and perhaps my work as an author. I did not lose the ones I love who have passed. I know where they are.

Julia LaJoie-Washington DC
email: JALAJMD@gmail.com  
I joined Helping Parents Heal in April of 2012 when I met Mark Ireland, Anne Puryear and Elizabeth Boisson at a conference in Phoenix, AZ on After Death Communication. There were many parents like myself who had lost a child and had discovered the healing that comes from ADC and other forms of spiritual growth. I am eager to join hands and hearts with other parents in the Baltimore - Washington area to grow our network and support each other in healing and spiritual growth.

NEW GROUP - Paige Lee-Boise, Idaho
email:  paigewlee@gmail.com
Paige is a Speaker, Coach, and Reiki practitioner and owns Crystal Soul Healing Center in Boise Idaho. Paige is dedicated to helping people who have experienced a profound loss, especially the loss of a child, face and release their emotions and find a way to joyfully connect with their loved one in Spirit. Her spiritual awakening came abruptly and forcefully after her only child, Bryan, was murdered in September 2008. Just as the only world she’d ever known was shattered, a new world opened. A world filled with Hope, Spirit, and Love; a world that allowed her not only to continue having a relationship with her son, but a world that opened her own true self into being.

Patti May- Ottawa, Ontario
email: pattimay@rogers.com  
I am a mother of 3 wonderful children, married 30 years to their father.I lost my son Adam in 2006 in a tragic auto accident. Since losing my son I have had afterlife signs that have helped me.  I began to search for like-minded parents to share our experiences. I came across the wonderful group Helping Parents Heal and asked if I could start a group here in Canada.

Jessalyn Nash- Sonoma County, CA
email: pwrolove@sonic.net  
Jessalyn Nash, M.A. has facilitated groups for over 25 years and is involved in the restorative justice movement. After her beloved 21-year-old son, Trystan passed away, Jessalyn has dedicated herself to helping other grieving parents.

NEW GROUP - Glenda Pearson-Granger, IN
email: glendia456@aol.com 
Glenda is a Reiki Master, Munay Ki practitioner, intuitive guide, Stephen's Minister, author and Certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist.  Reflected in her book, But Should The Angels Call For Him, she speaks of her personal loss through the death of her only child, Chad, and believes there is healing for everyone.

Maria Pe - San Diego
email: maria.i.pe@hotmail.com
Maria Pe, J.D., is the mother of Sean Robert and Kyle Joseph, her two sons who transitioned to the other side on June 21, 2011.  That day was the beginning of Maria’s profound spiritual journey to find out where her sons went and how she could continue to have a relationship with them.  Having been educated in Western culture and trained as an attorney, Maria was skeptical and had no idea where to turn for the information and answers she was seeking.  She was guided to a shamanic practitioner who taught her how to raise her consciousness and energy levels through meditation so that she could connect with her sons.  She began keeping a written journal of her experiences which culminated in her book, Journey To The Upper Realm:  How I Survived the Deaths of My Sons and Learned to Communicate With Them on the Other Side (free at www.seanandkyleimaginefund.com and in hard copy on Amazon).   By sharing and talking about her own experience, she hopes to help other bereaved parents.

Sheri Perl-New York, NY
email: sheriperl@gmail.com  
Sheri Perl Migdol is a spiritual healer, an interfaith minister, an author, lecturer and mother of 3 children, one deceased. Sheri is the founder of The Prayer Registry, a free service for all bereaved parents. www.sheriperl.com.

Christine Volpe-Tom’s Creek NJ
email: cvolpe68@gmail.com  
After the passing of her 17 year old son, James, due to a vehicle accident Christine has spent countless hours helping other bereaved parents.  She is devoted to help other parents find tools to help them in their grief. Christine and Jennifer are co-hosts for Tom’s River.

NEW GROUP - Irene Vouvalides-Hilton Head, SC
email: ivouvalides@aol.com 
I lost my 24 year old daughter to esophageal - gastric cancer on February 17, 2013. She was my best friend, my only child. I have been on a spiritual quest since, reading constantly, writing about my life. I have had two sessions with George Anderson and had a phone session with Laurie Campbell. Having recently moved to South Carolina, I am very interested in connecting with other parents here. So happy to find and read Mark Ireland's books and have also taken great comfort in reading Dr Brian Weiss's books.

Laura Wilmot-Fall’s Church, VA
email: laurawilmot@gmail.com  
A retired federal HR Director, Laura taught Mexican Folk dance to children and adults and performed Mariachi music with her family for several years.  She “connects up” to her son through meditation and prayer.
Please contact Elizabeth Boisson (evboisson@yahoo.com) if you would like to start an affiliate chapter in your area.