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Who We Are Our Story & Vision Events & Updates Meet the Team Donors & Partners Annual & Financial Reports Where We Stand Find Support Guidance for Bereaved Parents Directory for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Groups & Workshops Healing Retreats Resources Webinars Books & Podcasts Gift Guides BIPOC LGBTQ+ For Family & Friends Remembrance Keepsakes Recognition of Life Certificates RTZ Film Voices of Hope Stories of HOPE Conversations of HOPE Providers Provider Resources Materials & Brochures Education & Training Join Our Provider Network Get Involved Get Involved The Lighthouse Monthly Giving Program Wishlist Program Job Postings
Return to Zero: H.O.P.E.
Transforming the Culture of Pregnancy and Infant Loss
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STORIES OF HOPE

STORIES, INSIGHTS, AND HOPE SHARED BY OUR COMMUNITY

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For Baby Angel Washington: A Mother’s Unbreakable Love
For Baby Angel Washington: A Mother’s Unbreakable Love

I’m learning that life is very short and to just live and be happy, over this last year I’ve struggled so much and felt so alone, all I wanted was to talk about my daughter but found that it was making people feel uncomfortable and my feelings were just pushed down.

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Shianne GundersonJuly 31, 2025Pregnancy Loss
The Nourishment of the Earth by Ryan Cherecwich
The Nourishment of the Earth by Ryan Cherecwich

Writing has always been my way to work with the both/and of life, and I’ve written a lot on the topic of this loss, so you may see me sharing links as relevant in this space if I think they will help one of you feel less alone.

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Shianne GundersonMay 29, 2025Pregnancy Related Health Challenges, TFMR
Our Birth Stories By Amanda Snelson
Our Birth Stories By Amanda Snelson

I don’t know much, but I do know this: I am forever changed and wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m still alive, still hopeful, still soft, still a mother, and always living for the children I’ve carried and will continue to carry with me

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Shianne GundersonApril 29, 2025Pregnancy Related Health Challenges, TFMR, Stillbirth
Reflections of Grace To Myself by Karen Struzik
Reflections of Grace To Myself by Karen Struzik

After enough of those moments, you look back at where you have been, and realize that hope has somehow snuck its way back in.

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Shianne GundersenApril 19, 2025Stillbirth, GriefComment
Learning to Bloom Through Grief, Holly Ann Shares About Her Daughter Magnolia
Learning to Bloom Through Grief, Holly Ann Shares About Her Daughter Magnolia

From the moment I said hello and goodbye all at once, I made a promise that I would honor her memory with everything I had.

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Shianne GundersonJanuary 14, 2025Stillbirth, Rainbow Baby, Miscarriage, Power of Support Groups
Honoring Norbert's Legacy, 19 Years Later
Honoring Norbert's Legacy, 19 Years Later

The reality is that we can hold both the pain and sorrow of grief with hope and healing. I am determined to let others who have been impacted by these devastating losses know that as well. This work is my lifeline, my purpose, and my commitment to make a difference in the lives of those who share in the heartbreak of loss.

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Shianne GundersenJuly 10, 2024Stillbirth, AdvocacyComment
Jaime Sharing in Honor of James
Jaime Sharing in Honor of James

Sharing my son's story and listening to others' narratives provided a sacred space for me to unravel, only to gradually piece myself back together. In the gentle embrace of shared experiences, I found the strength to confront the depth of my pain.

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Shianne GundersenJuly 1, 2024Ending a Wanted Pregnancy, Power of Support GroupsComment
Brittany's Story of Loss, Profound Grief, and Immeasurable Love
Brittany's Story of Loss, Profound Grief, and Immeasurable Love

I often say that the support I experienced and continue to experience from this community of loss moms has been a life raft. Without it, I may have drowned in a sea of my own sorrow and tears.

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Shianne GundersenJune 17, 2024Miscarriage, Power of Support GroupsComment
The Slow Evolution of Hope by Beth Ledbetter
The Slow Evolution of Hope by Beth Ledbetter

After enough of those moments, you look back at where you have been, and realize that hope has somehow snuck its way back in.

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Shianne GundersenApril 23, 2024Infant Death, Grief, HopeComment
Grace Sharing in Memory of Forest
Grace Sharing in Memory of Forest

After attending the Return to Zero BIPOC Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group I became very close with a couple of the other women who attended and have since gone through pregnancy after loss and now parenting after loss with two of them. I consider them sisters and know we will be lifelong friends.

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Shianne GundersenApril 15, 2024Stillbirth, Power of Support GroupsComment
Alishia, Doing Good for DJ
Alishia, Doing Good for DJ

Even though DJ is no longer here physically, he is ALWAYS here in spirit, because I carry him with me. He is my motivation. He lifts me up on the days I want to quit. He inspires me to help others.

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Shianne GundersenApril 4, 2024Stillbirth, Power of Support GroupsComment
Amalia, Making a Difference in Honor of Cherry Bean
Amalia, Making a Difference in Honor of Cherry Bean

The act of volunteering helped me heal from my own trauma by reshaping the need to bare my story as something that serves others–as well as RTZ HOPE’s mission–with people who might be too afraid to reach out for help.

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Shianne GundersenApril 2, 2024Power of Support Groups, TFMR Comment
Maddie Sharing in Memory of Baby Hope
Maddie Sharing in Memory of Baby Hope

Ever since we lost her, purple flowers pop up in our path everywhere we go. We hold them as a symbol of her and our friends and family share purple flower photos and videos too.

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Shianne GundersenMarch 7, 2024MiscarriageComment
Ariel, Sharing Hope in Memory of her Baby Boy
Ariel, Sharing Hope in Memory of her Baby Boy

These women spoke my innermost thoughts, they normalized ALL of the things happening to and around me. I listened to their stories and grieved with them. I realized these were bravest, most compassionate, loving mothers.

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Shianne GundersenMarch 6, 2024Power of Support Groups, TFMRComment
When Love Is Silenced, Joshua’s Story by Michelle Dudley
When Love Is Silenced, Joshua’s Story by Michelle Dudley

I had to come to terms with the fact that bad things happen in this imperfect world where death and darkness exist. Joshua’s death was not caused by any “mistake or choice” I made. I eventually came to accept this.

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Shianne GundersenFebruary 26, 2024StillbirthComment
To Calm Your Nerves, Little Love by Elizabeth Neal
To Calm Your Nerves, Little Love by Elizabeth Neal

My love will wrap around you like a warm blanket little love. And with that love, I’ll shield you with a golden aura of protection to keep you safe. To deflect any harm or negativity.

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Shianne GundersenFebruary 23, 2024Pregnancy After LossComment
Dear Loss Mom: A Letter To My Younger Self by Keisha Wells
Dear Loss Mom: A Letter To My Younger Self by Keisha Wells

If I could speak to the young loss mom—the younger me—the woman in the prime of her 20s ambitious and eager to make a mark in the world, ready to take on motherhood to only be plowed by feelings of failure and misery, I would like to share these gentle words with her now—and you too—of what I know and have learned for sure, thus far, on my grief journey.

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Shianne GundersenFebruary 23, 2024Stillbirth Twins
Rebirth in the Face of Loss by Elizabeth Neal
Rebirth in the Face of Loss by Elizabeth Neal

I chose to do something different from my first encounter with pregnancy loss. I wouldn’t isolate, hide, bury, put up a front, smile. I would honor every single feeling that arose, as it did in real time… And in doing so, I was writing a new story. This was new for me.

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Shianne GundersenFebruary 23, 2024Miscarriage, HealingComment
Turning Tragedy into Opportunity: 5 Things I learned about Using My Voice After My  Son Died by Kima Tozay, LICSW
Turning Tragedy into Opportunity: 5 Things I learned about Using My Voice After My Son Died by Kima Tozay, LICSW

Despite feeling like a complete failure because I was unable to protect him, I focused on how I could use my experience to be the voice for change.

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Shianne GundersenFebruary 23, 2024Stillbirth, AdvocacyComment
Fallen Bird by Natasha de Sousa
Fallen Bird by Natasha de Sousa

I couldn’t imagine that my life would one day be filled with laughter, joy, and love again; but it is. Of course, there are also challenges, tears, and pain. All these can coexist in one heart. My heart is filled with love, grief, joy and hope.

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Shianne GundersenFebruary 23, 2024Neonatal DeathComment
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