Krista, Spreading HOPE for Dante & Luna
honorary Ambassador Krista marie olson, sharing in memory of Dante & Luna
“I honor my two sweet spirit babies with a daily connection to nature. Nature has been one of the strongest resources for my healing journey – it helps me feel safe and supported. Nature also helps me feel into who I am more deeply with small moments of just “being”, slowing down, noticing the textures and smells, fully taking in all the delicate beauty. Each of these simple but awe-inspiring nature moments have helped me be more grounded, expansive, present, and alive. Some moments of connection to nature are just a few seconds – wishing the sun good morning or pausing for a deep breath next to the creek. In these moments, I often speak out to the expansiveness of mother earth and say, “Love you Luna”, “Love you Dante” and connect with my two spirit babies. It’s a place where having a human body seems less important and their beautiful spirits can be felt, connected with, and live on.
After my second miscarriage, I really hit a deep place of despair. It was hard to find joy in any moment and the simple parts of my life that I used to look forward to felt meaningless. During this time, we were on a road trip to Northern California camping near the redwoods. I dragged myself out to the trails every day and even though I was surrounded by grand miracles of majestic redwood trees, it was hard to feel anything as my heart, body, and soul were shocked and numb. One day I stumbled upon a circle of redwood trees and just laid down on the dirt, looking up at their tall bodies and waving branches leaning over me. I felt held by the earth and for a moment I felt like someday I might be okay. It wasn’t even yet a feeling of being okay as I was still numb and miserable, but it was a small sliver of hope that I could see a future, albeit far away, where I could be okay again someday. Every day I would go back to the circle of redwoods and slowly I began to feel again, and as I began to feel, I felt the sadness, and I began to feel joy again too. It was deeply meaningful and deeply healing.
The experience of our two miscarriages shattered our family and broke our hearts wide open. The healing journey was supported by community, healers, resourcing and connection. RTZ HOPE provides all of these incredible support systems and lets you know at your darkest moment that you're not alone and that you are held in all of your vulnerability and pain. Eventually, heart break integrated into heart opening as we healed and our family came together stronger and more vibrantly. We will always be grateful to RTZ HOPE and the beautiful work that they share with the world!”
Pregnancy and infant loss is an unique type of loss, leaving the grievers to feel isolated and unsure of how to move forward. We'd be grateful if you you would consider making a contribution RTZ. Your gift ensures that other parents who endure loss on their journey to parenthood have the support, resources, and community they need in order to navigate life after loss.
With your support, here’s what we were able to accomplish during 2022 (2022 Annual Report):
Fifty percent of support group participants received financial support to ensure that all parents have access to services.
Enhanced outreach to and created support services for Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color as a response to the alarming rate of preterm births and stillbirths caused by racial disparities in perinatal and infant health.
Offered 50 different support group programs (virtual workshops, virtual support groups, and in-person retreats) to our community of bereaved families.
Supplied our unique perinatal bereavement guides to 400 hospitals and providers to assist in caring for grieving families.
Hosted 10 perinatal bereavement education webinars to parents and providers.
Created community and spread awareness about pregnancy and infant loss through social media.