LIFE | LOVE | LOSS
“January is the quietest month in the garden. But just because it looks quiet doesn’t mean that nothing is happening.”
– Rosalie Muller Wright
Thank you for making time to read our THMF Newsletter. The intention of all the hands, minds and hearts that touch the Taylor Hagen Memorial Foundation is for the words, thoughts and resources shared here to bring insight, perspective, peace, and joy in all that you face.
CONNECTION
“Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued- when they can give and receive without judgement.”
– Brene Brown, PhD, LMSW
Happy New Year!
As we stand at the start of a brand-new year this can be with mixed emotions. Some begin a year bright eyed and ready for the promise of all that can be. Others have a heavy heart beginning a new time and space where a loved one will never join in what’s to come.
Wherever you find yourself give it room. Breathe deeply into where you are, feel all there is to feel and allow what is real for you to have room to be felt, seen, or heard. I know in my own life and grief journeys that is what matters most, room! Room to allow ourselves the space to be whatever we need to be. Happy, mad, silly or sad. It all needs its own room. There is space for all of it if we allow it. Some emotions are easier to flow with and through. Other emotions we choke back, fight off, try to hide or push down. The older I get the sillier that seems to me. I want to FEEL IT ALL. So now I lean unapologetically into anything I feel at ANYTIME. Does this make people uncomfortable. YES, IT DOES.
So, what. Let them be uncomfortable. It will also make them laugh. Tears come easily for me. Happy tears, sad tears, tears of empathy, tears of shared pain. A good Kleenex commercial tears. You name it, they can come pouring out of me. This makes my family laugh a lot. “Is mom crying again?” is often heard when we are together! My answer is, “Yes, yes I am”. I feel a lot and I feel deeply. This is often reflected in waterworks from my eyes!
My last round of public tears was at the Broncos vs. Chiefs game last weekend. When the military helicopters flew over the stadium, I could see the soldiers in the back of the aircrafts waving and tears started to flow. I felt so moved by this. I felt so honored and proud to live in a nation where people gladly and willingly serve to protect us and our freedoms. As a mother who has lost a child I know the price of a life. It is SO precious. So, I stood there with seventy thousand strangers and let the tears pour down my face in a moment of tender appreciation for all that has been laid at the alter of our freedom in this great nation.
I only knew three people in that entire stadium, but I felt a connection. I feel it in large crowds when we all put our hands over our hearts and pay respects to our flag. You can feel a common thread of honor and respect like a current in these moments. When my husband used to have a motorcycle, I loved how when passing other bikers on the highway they would most often wave when passing. It was a connection of sorts. We didn’t know each other. Often came from different walks of life. Yet when out on the open road we all belonged to one club of kindred spirits.
Connections like this can be found anywhere if you look for them. We have connections in our neighborhoods, the places we frequent like a local coffee shop, restaurant or grocery store. My husband and I have favorite servers at places we eat who have become good friends over the years.
We can form great connections at work, church, the gym and other places where we enjoy spending our time. Knowing others and being known is a gift in life. My grandma used to say one of the deepest punishments in prison is solidary confinement. That is the ultimate removable of connections. We need them. They nurture us, support us, help us be more of who we can be.
I invite you at the start of this year to do a connection inventory. What connections do you have? Which ones would you like to add for 2025? What steps are needed to do that? What connections are taking and not giving? What needs to happen to edit or release those?
Make this year meaningful in the time you spend with those you love. Time is the real gift!
Self-Care Tip:
“Human connections are deeply nurtured in the field of shared story.”
– Jean Houston
REACH OUT
This month I invite you to intentionally reach out to others. Do this in small ways daily by staying off your phone when in line at a store/ coffee shop / restaurant/ etc. Make eye contact with the cashier/ server. Thank them by name.
Look someone in the eye in a hallway or while walking on a sidewalk and smile.
Do not wear headphones on a walk or during one trip to the gym this month. LISTEN! Be present to what is happening around you and who is there. Make up complimentary stories about everyone you see. Create stories in your mind about them winning at life! Have everyone your eyes touch be on their way to happy, healthy and wealthy outcomes just because you looked at them! YES, play make believe! We did this ALL the time when we were kids! Try it now as an adult.
Text someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Tell them they were on your mind and compliment them for something awesome they do or give to the world.
All my best,
Genna
RESOURCES
988 – National Mental Health Hotline – Talk or Text 24/7
National Alliance on Mental Illness – NAMI www.mani.org/Home
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988
Crisis Hotlines: Common Hotline Phone Numbers | Eluna Network
Mental Health App’s
Talkspace – Best Overall Therapy App
Calm – Best Mindfulness App
My3 – Three People / Three Distractions / Safety Plan App
Chopra App – Great mindfulness and free meditations
Pride Counseling – Best Queer Mental Health App
Youper – Best Self-Guided Therapy App
Headspace – Best Anxiety App
Bereaved Mother’s Retreat’s
Bereaved Mother’s Retreat’s sponsored by Cristie North of Taylor Hagen Memorial Foundation and Leigh Anne Garcia of Andrew Garcia Memorial Foundation.
2025 Dates:
Twilight Moon Ranch, Kamas
April 4th – 7th 2025
May 16th – 18th 2025
September 26 – 28th 2025
Visit www.thmemorialfoundation.org or email cristie@thmemorialfoundation.org
THETAHEALING / CHAKRA CLEARING / ORACLE CARD READING
Sessions for all the options above with Genna Thomsen
Call or text 801-598-6517 to schedule your time today!
The Next Adventure 