Hello, I’m Melissa, your Retreat Host.

I lost my 21-year-old son, Alex, to suicide on August 7, 2016. My heart, & life shattered before me. For years, I felt lost and unsure of how to rebuild. However, eventually, I found tools, support & healing. Now, I share what I have learned with others. My journey of healing led me to create a community for those grieving - especially, but not exclusively, by suicide loss.

It began in 2020, when I launched my podcast, 'The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations.' This platform sparked meaningful discussions about suicide, mental health, trauma, and grief, engaging a growing community of listeners. From there grew the community, books, courses, and more.

Through conversations with other grieving moms, I identified three key needs we all have: access to resources at the time of loss & beyond, a connected community of fellow moms who understand, and ways to ensure our child is remembered - because legacy matters!

Now, weekly, having studied many modalities & receiving multiple certifications I facilitate an online support community, offer resources, host retreats, teach, support and guide moms healing both 1-on-1 & in groups -- including legacy projects that honor our children's lives. As an author, certified Master Grief Companion, Reiki I & II practitioner, and trauma-informed energy healer, I’m dedicated to supporting grieving moms. As a former Executive Chef, I also have well over 15 years in event hosting, planning & implementation that now serves me well as a high-end retreat host.

"My mission with the retreats is to help grieving moms bridge from hope into healing & connection to spirit by working in collaboration with other likeminded, service driven healing practitioners."  This is lonely, but you do not have to be alone. I am so very sorry that you need to be here, but it is my honor to hold space for you!  --Melissa

Returning Guest Co-Hosts

Through their work, they remind grieving parents that love is eternal, the bond with their child is never broken, and healing is possible—one step, one message, and one moment of light at a time.

Angel the Medium - Evidential Psychic Medium 

Angel the Medium is a gifted evidential psychic medium, spiritual teacher, and healer who has spent over a decade guiding people through their darkest moments with compassion, clarity, and divine connection. Raised Catholic, Angel now embraces spirituality beyond religion, believing that all paths lead to the light. His work transcends boundaries, welcoming all faiths and beliefs with an open heart.

At these retreats, Angel creates a sacred space where mothers can reconnect with their children in spirit, offering profound healing through mediumship, meditation, energy healing, and spiritual guidance. Alongside Lisa Dawn, he teaches powerful techniques to bridge the physical and spiritual worlds, providing comfort, closure, and renewed purpose. Many who have attended these retreats describe them as life-changing, finding not only messages from their loved ones but also deep healing and peace.

Angel’s work goes beyond delivering messages—it is about restoring faith, embracing healing, and illuminating the path forward. Through his deep connection with God and spirit, he reminds grieving mothers that love never dies—it transforms. His ability to bring messages of hope and validation has helped countless individuals find peace, strength, and a renewed connection to their loved ones.

In 2017, Angel and Lisa Dawn experienced the heartbreaking loss of their own baby to the spirit world. In that moment of profound grief, they knew they were being called to help other parents who had lost children. This deeply personal journey not only strengthened their mission but also gave them a unique understanding of the pain and healing that comes with loss.

One of their greatest passions is teaching people how to connect with their loved ones in spirit—not just in a single session, but in a way that allows them to receive signs, messages, and love all the time. They believe that this connection is not reserved for a chosen few but is a birthright that everyone can access. If you are seeking healing, clarity, and connection, Angel welcomes you with an open heart—ready to help you find the light, even in the darkest of times.

  https://angelthemedium.com/

Lisa Dawn - Astrologer; Evidential Medium

Lisa Dawn is a multifaceted spiritual practitioner. As a Reiki master teacher, Lisa Dawn brings healing and educational expertise to her practice. She is also a skilled astrologer, evidential psychic medium, and spiritual advisor, offering deep insights and guidance to those seeking spiritual connection and understanding. Lisa Dawn's unwavering support for her husband, Angel the Medium, is integral to their shared healing and spiritual growth mission. At this retreat, Lisa Dawn will be present to assist in any way she can, providing support to all attendees. Her compassionate and experienced approach ensures that everyone feels supported, understood, and empowered on their journey of healing and spiritual connection.  https://mediumlisadawn.com/