A Gentle Place to Land for Mothers Walking Through Loss

Nicole is a Usui and Holy Fire Reiki Master, intuitive medium, and devoted mother of four, three living and one in spirit.

The passing of her 9-year-old son, Yannick, in 2020, opened the door to a deep spiritual awakening. Since then, her connection with him has become a guiding force, leading her on a path of healing, growth, and profound spiritual discovery.

Through years of receiving signs, deepening her intuitive gifts, and learning powerful tools, Nicole has embraced a life centered around presence, family, and living each moment fully. Her passion lies in supporting others on their spiritual journey, especially those who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a child or loved one.

The retreat vision

1. What is Sacred Journey, and why did you feel called to create this retreat for grieving mothers?

Sacred Journey are the words that came to me to describe what I have been living over the past almost six years since the passing of my son. In many ways, life itself has always been a sacred journey, but after his death everything became amplified. What truly matters was brought sharply into focus, and the way I move through the world changed at a very deep level.

Through this experience, I have done a tremendous amount of growing and healing. Along the way, I began to feel a strong calling to support other mothers walking this path, women who may be seeking understanding, guidance, or simply the presence of someone who truly knows what this kind of loss feels like.

I’m deeply aware that grief looks different for everyone and that no two journeys are the same. This retreat isn’t about a single way to grieve or heal, it’s about creating a safe, compassionate space for those who feel called, who resonate, and who want gentle tools and support as they navigate their own sacred journey through loss.

2. The retreat is described as “a soft place to land.” What does that phrase mean to you in the context of grief?

Grief can be incredibly complex and difficult to navigate, and there is no right or wrong way to move through it. Everyone’s journey unfolds in their own time and in their own way.

To me, a soft place to land means a space with no expectations, where you are welcome exactly as you are. It’s an invitation to arrive without pressure to be or feel any certain way, and a gentle reminder that there is nothing wrong with how you are grieving.

3. Jordan River, BC, plays a central role in this experience. Why was this land and location important for the retreat?

Jordan River is a deeply special place to my family and me. We traveled here many times when my son was still alive, often camping in our converted school bus, and now we are so fortunate to call it home. Interestingly, both my husband and I were drawn to this area even before we met, and there has always been something incredibly healing about it for us.

After my son passed, we received many signs that this was where we were meant to be. We truly feel we were divinely guided to purchase this land nearly four years ago. There is a profound sense of peace, magic, and tranquility here, and being by the ocean has been incredibly healing for our family.

This retreat takes place on our own land, a place we’ve always envisioned as one day being used for healing and gathering. Sharing it with other mothers feels both meaningful and deeply aligned.

Personal inspiration

4. You recently attended a retreat that deeply inspired you. What aspects of that experience stayed with you and shaped Sacred Journey?

I had been thinking about hosting retreats for some time, but I wasn’t clear on what that would look like. When I attended a retreat for grieving mothers last June, everything shifted. It was the first time I had been surrounded by women who truly understood this kind of loss.

There is something incredibly powerful about being with others who know, not just intellectually, but in their bodies and hearts, what you are feeling. Even though we all had different stories, there was an instant bond and deep sense of love and understanding.

After that experience, it became very clear how passionate I felt about creating retreats specifically for grieving mothers. I wanted to share the tools that have supported me and continue to support me on my own journey.

5. Many women feel less alone when they hear pieces of another mother’s story. Would you like to share anything about how your own journey of loss informed this retreat?

I have always been deeply moved by stories where pain and loss are transformed into service and support for others. Often, the people who feel most called to help are those who truly understand because they’ve lived it.

I do feel that walking through this myself has allowed me to be there for others in a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. It has been a profound teacher and, in some ways, a gift. I am incredibly grateful for my son and for what this journey has taught me, while also holding the truth that I would, of course, rather have him here with us on earth.

The experience itself

6. What kinds of practices, moments, or supports can mothers expect during the four days of the retreat?

This retreat weaves together elements from other retreats I’ve attended and practices that have helped me feel calmer, more connected, and more supported in my grief. Everything offered is optional, and I am always open to feedback and suggestions, knowing that everyone’s needs are different.

There is plenty of spaciousness built into the retreat, downtime for rest, journaling, time by the ocean, and opportunities to connect socially if that feels right. That sense of unstructured connection was something I deeply valued in other retreats.

Each day also includes a facilitated experience led by incredible practitioners, including yoga, conscious connected breathwork, qigong, Holy Fire Reiki, guided walks and hikes, beachside fires, and nourishing meals shared together. All of these practices are designed to support the nervous system, foster connection with our children in spirit, encourage self-compassion, and allow space for rest.

7. Grief looks different for every mother. How does the retreat honour each woman’s unique journey without comparison or expectation?

This retreat is truly a come-as-you-are experience. There are no expectations, no goals to reach, and no timelines to follow, just a healing place to land, surrounded by other women who understand this kind of loss.

8. What does “Heal. Honour. Breathe. Connect. Release.” mean to you personally, and how is that woven into the retreat experience?

My hope is that every woman leaves feeling even a small sense of healing, sometimes that simply looks like being a little gentler with yourself.

Honour is about honouring our children who have left this realm.

Connect means connecting with other moms as well as connecting with our children in whatever way feels right and true for each of us.

Release is about letting go of expectations, and perhaps releasing some of the blame, guilt, or heaviness that no longer serves us.

These themes are gently woven throughout the entire retreat experience.

Community & support

9. Why is being together with other mothers who have lost a child so powerful, especially in a space where nothing needs to be explained?

There is something incredibly special about being with others who have experienced the same loss. It creates an instant bond, an unspoken understanding. Backgrounds, lifestyles, and stories don’t matter. What matters is the shared knowing, because until you’ve lived this, it’s impossible to fully understand.

10. What have you learned about grief that you wish more people understood?

Grief is a roller coaster. You can have days where life feels manageable, even joyful, and then a song on the radio can completely undo you in an instant. There’s no logic or timeline, some days are easier, others are heavy, and grief can be quiet but always present.

It’s not something you “get over”, it’s something you learn to live with. It changes shape over time, but it doesn’t disappear.

One thing I’ve learned personally is how meaningful it is when my son is spoken about, when memories or stories are shared. He is never forgotten, and being reminded of him doesn’t make the grief worse. I once read a quote that said something like, “Say their names. Remember them. This is the best gift you could give us. It won’t hurt us more to speak of them because you could never remind us of those we could never forget.”

I’ve also learned that it’s okay to feel joy again. Happiness doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten your child. Early on, I felt guilt when joy crept in, but I now understand that both grief and joy can exist together.

Who this retreat is for

11. How would you describe the mother this retreat was created for?

This retreat is for any mother who has lost a child and feels drawn to gather in a small, intimate group of women who truly understand. It doesn’t matter how old your child was or how long ago your loss occurred, if you know the pain of losing a child, this space is for you.

12. If a mother is unsure whether she’s “ready” for something like this, what would you want her to know?

Listen to your heart. There are no expectations here. You don’t have to participate in anything, if all you want is to sit by the ocean or quietly be among other women, that is more than enough.

If this feels right for you, I would be honoured to share this space with you. And if it doesn’t feel like the right time yet, I hope to offer other retreats and gatherings in the future. Please reach out if you would like to keep informed.

From surviving to gently thriving

13. The retreat speaks to moving from surviving to slowly, gently thriving. What does “thriving” look like in the context of grief?

Thriving in the context of grief doesn’t mean anything big or dramatic. It’s a gentle shift, from survival mode, blame, guilt, and constant heaviness toward acceptance and self-compassion.

It can look like allowing moments of joy without guilt, slowing down when needed, and giving yourself permission to rest rather than push through. Thriving is about honouring the process and allowing space for healing, one gentle step at a time.

Closing reflection

14. If you could offer one message to a mother who has lost a child and is reading this quietly to herself, what would you want her to hear?

You are not alone.

One of my deepest wishes for anyone who has lost a child, or any loved one, is to remain open to the signs of their presence. That has been one of the greatest sources of comfort for me. My son has shown up in countless ways, through music, nature, symbols, and moments that feel far too meaningful to be coincidence.

When you open yourself to noticing, the signs are everywhere. Trust that your child is still with you and still communicating in their own way. Once you allow for that possibility, it becomes very hard to deny the love that continues on.

A note from the interviewer

I, Jessica Almonte, would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Nicole for her openness, courage, and generosity in sharing her story and the vision behind Sacred Journey. Her words offer comfort, insight, and hope to mothers walking one of life’s most difficult paths. The community is honoured to witness how her own journey of loss has transformed into a space of healing and connection for others. Sacred Journey stands as a meaningful offering to mothers seeking understanding, support, and a gentle place to land.

Practical details:

• Retreat Name: Sacred Journey – A Retreat for Mothers Who Have Loved and Lost

• Dates: March 5-8, 2026

• Location: Jordan River, British Columbia

• Early Bird Deadline: January 31, 2026

• Spaces: Limited (6–8)

• Contact: sacred_journey999@protonmail.com

• Instagram: sacredjourney.reiki