Letter from Taylor

By Coral Popowitz, Executive Director of Children's Grief Connection

 

We are very fortunate in that nearly every camp session there is someone who expresses how impactful and amazing their experience with Hearts of Hope was to them. Whether it is mother thanking 'us' for giving her children 'a transformation' or a volunteer who sees her 'calling' in the short 36 hours of camp time or the scribbly, jumbled letters in the words of a five year old who says she wants to 'come back every year' but is concerned whether or not 'somebody I love has to die first'. 

No matter who it is or how they express their gratitude and the importance of the work we do; we are always moved to tears, delighted and humbled by how these expressions make our mission come true - we are bringing hope and healing to Minnesota's grieving children. It is what we do; we do it well and we are very proud. 

Proud to have children like Taylor Schafbach tell us in her own words (and for the sake of other kids, like her, who may be afraid or uncertain about coming to a grief camp when their world is already full of grief because someone they love has died.) Not knowing what to expect, who will be taking care of them, what they're going to be doing are legitimate concerns; if the death was sudden and it is always unexpected, then the need to know about what's going to happen is an important and pressing concern for grieving children. Taylor recognized that in herself and at the very young age of ten realized that she could help other kids who would be in her spot one day to have an idea of what to expect from Hearts of Hope camp. They say there is grace in grief; there are good things that come out of bad situations; I believe Taylor and her compassion for other grieving kids like her is that grace. We thank her and her family and are honored to share it with you. 

View Taylor's letter here.