April 15, 2021 By Sheri Roaf
I quickly changed my clothes and attempted to pull my hair back into a nest on the top of my head. I had no idea why I was so nervous, I'd been going to my same child loss grief group for years now. I felt comfortable talking about the loss of my son and sharing his life with others. I felt like I was in a good place.
A friend had sent over a video of Patty Inwood talking about a new grief group in Rutland named 'Hope Lives Here.' My family was building a home in Rutland and had just moved into town to rent while we waited for construction to be finished. We had left the security of our community in Worcester where everyone knew the story of my son's death and had embraced our family with love. This meeting seemed to come at the perfect time for me. Or, as I would soon learn in HLH speak, #nocoincidences.
I made my way across Main Street to the Rutland Library. As I entered the space where we would be meeting, I was surprised to see how many people there were! I was greeted with a huge smile and ushered into the space to meet Patty. She asked me how I found out about HLH and I told her that I had seen her video and that I had also lost my son. I found myself caught up in a hug instantly. I didn't expect it and I didn't realize how badly I needed it either.
We sat down to begin sharing and I quickly realized that myself and one other gentleman were the attendees, everyone else in that room was a volunteer. I should have felt uneasy and in the spotlight, but that never happened. There was something about this incredible group of women that made me instantly comfortable and at ease. I was able to share not only the loss of my son but also my Mom. Even though I had lost her as a teenager, it helped to talk about that all these years later. It ended up being an incredible evening and I was so glad that I had gone.
That was 3 years ago in April. Every month I kept showing up at HLH meetings. I found my new community in Rutland. Suddenly moving our family there didn't seem so scary. I have made so many incredible new connections with people that I would never have met if I hadn't walked in that door.
I have been so fortunate to be able to facilitate the HLH Child Loss Meeting for the past 2 years with 2 of the most incredible Angels. This group of moms and dads have done more to heal my broken heart than time could ever do. Their spirit, love, and incredible courage are an inspiration to me. In December I joined the HLH Board of Directors where I am surrounded by so much heart.
Patty is a visionary and a dreamer and she dreams big! I truly believe that 'we attract love by being love'. And Patty and the HLH founders put something out into the universe that has been answered by some of the kindest souls. Happy 3rd Birthday Hope Lives Here! Keep healing hearts, as you've helped to mend mine.
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