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1 (855) 894-5658
August 2022
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ERICSHOUSE
August Newsletter
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Dear EricsHouse Community,
Welcome to August 2022! Compassion is truly one of the most beautiful things humans can share. We never know what those around us are going through. Being empathetic pushes us to see the struggles of others. It cultivates kindness. Compassion allows us to hold space for others and ourselves. A small interaction can serve as a big, meaningful positive reminder to those in need. Be kind to yourself and others.
-EricsHouse
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Tribute To Carole Whittaker
by Marianne Gouveia
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On June 30th, 2022, a member of our Advisory Board, Carole Whittaker, passed peacefully into Heaven surrounded by her family and friends. Carole was a valued member of our advisory board and a spiritual director who helped many members of EricsHouse find their spiritual footing after devastating loss. I would like to share my experiences with Carole who, even for a short time, quickly became one of the most important people in my life.
Carole had deep love for the Enneagram and believed deeply in its power as an unparalleled tool for inner work. Combined with her gifts as a leader, a thinker, and an organizer, Carole left an indelible imprint on The Narrative Enneagram as an organization and in the hearts of her many students and friends.
Carole held a PhD in physical chemistry and was a serious student of many spiritual traditions. Her deep knowledge of both science and spirituality gave her a unique vantage point from which to help people discover their own beliefs about love, living, dying, the universe, creation, and eternal love. As stated so beautifully by her friends and colleagues at the AEA, she dedicated her life to “awakening our development of modes of perception that can interact with the spiritual world.” Carole was a force on this earth, and I shall truly miss her.
I first met Carole in 2017 when I attended her women’s retreat. I had just lost my youngest son Eric, and looking back, I have to say I was truly a hot mess. During that retreat, we all had to stand up and say something. For me, it was the first time I had ever spoken in public since my son’s passing. Most of the weekend was a blur, but I remember two things about that first day of retreat. The first was that my voice was shaking, and I was quivering with fear that I had to speak in public, and the second was Carole, this woman who had such a big, beautiful presence, stood next to me as I spoke. I could feel her compassion and understanding surround me. She became my spiritual companion, my life’s teacher, and my dear friend.
After our first meeting I realized that God uses good people to do great things. Carole and I began meeting weekly for spiritual direction. I came to love her playful wit, her genuine curiosity, and her openness as she would lead me toward finding my own spiritual footing after my loss. I looked forward to every meeting because I loved being able to explore my own beliefs while at the same time learning about her beliefs and her unending commitment to her faith.
Carole became a member of the Emmaus Ministry retreat team, a retreat that we hold in Phoenix twice a year for grieving parents. She embraced the journey’s that our parents were facing, and she would listen to their stories of loss with compassion and love. Even with all of her experience, she remained humbled to be part of their journeys. She had a genuine sincerity about her. Something very raw and very real.
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Happy Birthday, Eric! You are so very missed. Your kindness, smile, and compassionate nature continue to touch lives everyday. Until we meet again. |
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A Hike and a Memory
by Greg Eckerman
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We are blessed to be in Jackson Hole with family this week. Today my brother-in-law, Joe, my oldest stepson, Rob, and I hiked Jenny Lake and beyond – we went to Hidden Falls, hiked up to Inspiration Point . . . and kept going. We saw moose and bears, up close. The Grand Tetons are beyond grand, truly spectacular. Eric would have so loved this.
I remember the first time I took Eric and Rob backpacking: I’d guess Eric was about 12 . . . it wasn’t an especially difficult trip, but it really seemed to capture him. We hiked about 4 miles into Beaver Creek in Arizona. That was an early cornerstone of Eric’s love affair with the great outdoors. He was at his best roughing it, sitting around a campfire, eating stuff his mother would never serve, and telling stories.
We miss you, buddy. The pain never leaves, but the love shining through gets stronger. Happy Birthday, Eric!
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Virtual Breath Work Seminar
Facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Rickard
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Saturday, August 6 9-10 a.m. AZ time
Monday, August 15 4:30-5:30 p.m. AZ time
Try one session and we're sure you'll come back for more!
Breath is essential for life. It is regulated by the autonomic nervous system and also by thought. Breathing so that the shoulders rise always contributes to anxiety because the nerves in the brain, traveling through the neck, as well as in the body, are being activated during this tense activity. Shallow and rapid breathing, due to internal and external stress, contributes to numerous symptoms such as anxiety, tachycardia (fast heart rate), insomnia, body tension, poor memory, nausea, fatigue and more. Over time, these responses can lead to chronic physical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, chronic fatigue, increased pain, changes in hormones, and increased inflammation markers, as well as memory and emotional concerns. Simple and slow repetition of purposeful breathing by expanding the diaphragm has been well studied, with significant improvement in many health outcomes including blood pressure, heart rate, immune system, emotional calm, sleep, memory, well being.
During this virtual workshop, you will learn how to tap into intentional and calming breath techniques. It is led by Dr. Kathleen Rickard. She is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner working in private practice since 1997 and specializes in energy medicine. Her 12 years of emergency nursing experience grounds her present work. She maintains a strong practice integrating numerous holistic modalities including energetic healing, reiki, functional nutritional medicine, yoga, visceral manipulation, neuro-muscular manipulation, and life coaching. Dr. Kathleen has been invited to speak across the country on numerous holistic health topics.
You will receive a Zoom link after in a confirmation email after purchasing tickets.
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The group is specifically for Men ready to explore their personal grief journey. We will base our conversation around the 4th, 5th, & 6th Needs of Mourners as defined by Dr. Alan Wolfelt (Develop a New Self Identity, Search for Meaning, and Receive [and Give] Ongoing Support from Others). We will identify new, individual goals free from the self-imposed limitations of our lives before our losses and support one another in attaining them.
We will meet weekly from 5- 6:30 p.m. AZ time. This group is be open to all losses (all relationships) to all self-harm causes (suicide, alcohol, and overdose).
Pre-registration is required! To see if this is the right group for you please contact Greg at greg@ericshouse.org or 480-734-3423.
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SAVE THE DATE!
10/8/22 Hope & Healing
Virtual Fundraiser
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Join EricsHouse as we participate in the Water Lantern Festival on Saturday, November 12 from 2:30-7 p.m. at Kiwanis Lake in Tempe. Gates open at 2:30.You’ll want to arrive at least by 5pm to decorate your lantern in anticipation of release at sunset.
Kiwanis Lake is located at 5203 South Ash Avenue Tempe, AZ 85283.
Lanterns are decorated by us, the participants, to remember loved ones. Lanterns are made of rice paper and wood and the event commits to cleaning up the park. Funds support clean water access around the world
Limited early-bird tickets available for $36. Purchase yours today before they run out!
There will be food trucks and other vendors. Picnics are welcome.
It is a public event, but April Boyden and Rosie McSweeney will help shepherd EricsHouse members to share the experience together as a group within the larger event.
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Holiday Virtual Support Groups for Parents Who Have Suddenly
Lost a Child
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This group is open to parents or couples who have lost a child to suicide, substance abuse, homicide, illness or any sudden loss.
Grieving the loss of someone you love is difficult at any time of year. During the holiday season, we often experience intense emotions surrounding our loss. It seems impossible that the world is celebrating, but for those grieving, a sense of loneliness and sadness can overshadow the holiday. Traditional holiday celebrations might feel very triggering and it might feel like we want to avoid the holiday altogether.
This group will provide you with support and helpful tips on how to survive. We will discuss your loved one, our emotions, how to handle family and triggering events, and will provide options for navigating family and social events. It’s important to know that you aren’t alone, and you can survive the holiday season in a way that allows you to be comfortable and to honor your grief and remember your loved one in ways that are helpful to you.
- Every other Thursday from October 27 to January 5. This group is for those who live in Mountain and Pacific time zones.
- Every other Thursday from November 3 to January 12. This group is for those who live in East & Central Time Zones.
For more information email madison@ericshouse.org.
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EricsHouse Tree of Life - A Way to Memorialize Your Loved Ones
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The Tree of Life is a custom art installation, created by local artists to help us remember our loved ones. This unique exhibit is displayed in the center of the EricsHouse facility on a 7′ x 11′ birch panel.
Our Tree of Life holds the names of people lost to suicide and substance abuse in the leaves on the tree. When you donate $100 in the name of your lost loved one, a personalized leaf will be placed on the tree as a lasting memorial. Only donations through the Tree of Life campaign will receive a leaf. Leaves may also be purchased for friends and family as a gift in their loved one’s honor.
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Donate your car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat to EricsHouse by simply clicking the button and completing the form. Car Easy will reach out to you to arrange the pick-up of your vehicle donation, at no cost to you. You may qualify for a tax deduction while supporting a cause that is near and dear to your heart! |
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EricsHouse Inc.
1 (855) 894-5658
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