A NOTE FROM LISA
Holding Their Light in the Season of Echoes
Ari means "Lion of God" — the sacred inspiration behind the BRAVE acronym.
"Grief is not the absence of love; it is love looking for a home in the places they used to fill."
As November is here and autumn leaves continue to fall upon the earth, many of us in our Bereaved Together family feel a familiar shifting in the air. The world speeds up with holiday preparation, bright music, and bustling gatherings. Yet for a grieving mother, the noise can make the quiet space left by our children feel impossibly vast.
To every bereaved mom reading this — I see you. I am one of you. I know the weight of an empty chair at the table, the way a familiar song can stop you mid-step, the way the world keeps moving while your heart stands still. You do not have to put on a brave mask for anyone. Here, bravery is simply allowing your heart to ache, your tears to fall, and your child's name to be spoken aloud with joy and reverent love.
And to the supporters who love a bereaved mother — thank you for staying. Thank you for sitting in the silence, for not changing the subject, for remembering our children's names. Your steady presence is a sacred gift. You don't need the perfect words; you just need to keep showing up.
We created Bereaved Together so that no mother walks this path isolated in the shadows. Whether this is your first November without your sweet child or your twentieth, please know that your love is seen, your child is remembered, and your courage inspires everyone around you.
With endless grace and gratitude,
Lisa Price
A Place at The Table
This Thanksgiving at Bereaved Together HQ, we set a place at the table for every precious child. Submit your child's name and we'll create a hand-crafted place-setting card, record a tribute video, and share it across our social accounts.
No empty chair goes unloved.
Each place setting is hand-crafted with your child's name. After submission, our team records a short tribute video and shares it across Bereaved Together's social accounts — so your child is seen, spoken, and seated among community this Thanksgiving.
- F
Finn
A place set by Ally Katona
- G
Greyson
A place set by Jaime / Jackson Zess
- T
Tommy Horter Michna
A place set by Bridget Horter
- R
Riley & Audrey
A place set by Chelsea Mueller
- T
Ty Patric
A place set by Sarah Dominguez
- B
Baby Mueller
A place set by Amanda Mueller
- J
John
A place set by Alissa Getzin
- J
Jacqueline Marie Haas
A place set by Hannah Fischer
- A
Aster
A place set by Lauri Budzynski
- Q
Quinn Daly
A place set by Hannah Daly
- K
Kayson James Bould
A place set by Amanda Bould
- B
Baby Best
A place set by Annlya Best
- C
Chloe Christine
A place set by Megan Sitzman
- W
Wyatt Michael Wizceb
A place set by Meagan Wizceb
- S
Sterling
A place set by Stephanie Garms
- C
Cecilia Mae Courtney
A place set by Jennette Courtney
- B
Brady Wynn Gullicksen
A place set by Mandy Gullicksen
- P
Paisley Ann Taft
A place set by Mercedes Conde-Taft
- B
Baby D
A place set by Elizabeth S
- A
Ari Harper Price
A place set by Lisa Price
- C
Connor
A place set by Angela Harvey
- N
Noah James
A place set by Sarah Harrison
- M
Maya Elizabeth
A place set by Lisa & David Kimbrough
- G
Grace Evelyn
A place set by Rachel & Todd Miller
- E
Emerson L
A place set by Robyn Pletzer
- A
Andrew M.
A place set by Heather Viator
- L
Lincoln Me
A place set by Rachelle Riebe
- K
Katie Rose
A place set by Julie Geboy
- M
Madelyn Ra
A place set by Katie Benka
- A
AJ Orlowski
A place set by Myra Orlowski
- J
Jocelyn An
A place set by Ashley Hampeo
- M
Matthew C
A place set by Alexandrya Morales
- J
Jackson Le
A place set by Melissa Holland
- I
Isla Mae Le
A place set by Alison Leon
- B
Bennett Ry
A place set by Christina Ammerman
- Z
Zach
A place set by Laurie Knowlton
- C
Colton Har
A place set by Kayla Harvey
- A
Angel Rae
A place set by Theresa Owens
- S
Samuel Vo
A place set by Amanda Sarven
- A
Anderson
A place set by Anna Strand
- A
Amelia Pea
A place set by Courtney Parker
- C
Connor, Ry
A place set by Tracy Olson
- P
Penelope A
A place set by Amanda Agoudemos
- J
Jacob Stev
A place set by Paula Breese
- T
Travis Buss
A place set by Shari Klessig
- M
Maddie Da
A place set by Sara Huddleston
- K
Kaylee Jose
A place set by Nicole Dykstra
- Q
Quintin Am
A place set by Lyndsay Linsmeier
- X
Xavier Tobi
A place set by Krystal Swinehart
- E
Emerson M
A place set by Jenna Hovind
- L
Logan Willi
A place set by Emily Troyk
- E
Ellis Ebril M
A place set by Emma Myren
- L
Lucas Wey
A place set by Jenny Weyenberg
- M
Madelaine Martin
A place set by Tammy Martin
- N
Nathaniel Martin
A place set by Tammy Martin
- A
Alexander Jay Chopp
A place set by Penny Garbutt
- K
Kalum Weyburn
A place set by Jen Weyburn
- M
Mallory Grace Campbell
A place set by Autumn Campbell
- F
Finn
A place set by Ally Katona
- G
Greyson
A place set by Jaime / Jackson Zess
- T
Tommy Horter Michna
A place set by Bridget Horter
- R
Riley & Audrey
A place set by Chelsea Mueller
- T
Ty Patric
A place set by Sarah Dominguez
- B
Baby Mueller
A place set by Amanda Mueller
- J
John
A place set by Alissa Getzin
- J
Jacqueline Marie Haas
A place set by Hannah Fischer
- A
Aster
A place set by Lauri Budzynski
- Q
Quinn Daly
A place set by Hannah Daly
- K
Kayson James Bould
A place set by Amanda Bould
- B
Baby Best
A place set by Annlya Best
- C
Chloe Christine
A place set by Megan Sitzman
- W
Wyatt Michael Wizceb
A place set by Meagan Wizceb
- S
Sterling
A place set by Stephanie Garms
- C
Cecilia Mae Courtney
A place set by Jennette Courtney
- B
Brady Wynn Gullicksen
A place set by Mandy Gullicksen
- P
Paisley Ann Taft
A place set by Mercedes Conde-Taft
- B
Baby D
A place set by Elizabeth S
- A
Ari Harper Price
A place set by Lisa Price
- C
Connor
A place set by Angela Harvey
- N
Noah James
A place set by Sarah Harrison
- M
Maya Elizabeth
A place set by Lisa & David Kimbrough
- G
Grace Evelyn
A place set by Rachel & Todd Miller
- E
Emerson L
A place set by Robyn Pletzer
- A
Andrew M.
A place set by Heather Viator
- L
Lincoln Me
A place set by Rachelle Riebe
- K
Katie Rose
A place set by Julie Geboy
- M
Madelyn Ra
A place set by Katie Benka
- A
AJ Orlowski
A place set by Myra Orlowski
- J
Jocelyn An
A place set by Ashley Hampeo
- M
Matthew C
A place set by Alexandrya Morales
- J
Jackson Le
A place set by Melissa Holland
- I
Isla Mae Le
A place set by Alison Leon
- B
Bennett Ry
A place set by Christina Ammerman
- Z
Zach
A place set by Laurie Knowlton
- C
Colton Har
A place set by Kayla Harvey
- A
Angel Rae
A place set by Theresa Owens
- S
Samuel Vo
A place set by Amanda Sarven
- A
Anderson
A place set by Anna Strand
- A
Amelia Pea
A place set by Courtney Parker
- C
Connor, Ry
A place set by Tracy Olson
- P
Penelope A
A place set by Amanda Agoudemos
- J
Jacob Stev
A place set by Paula Breese
- T
Travis Buss
A place set by Shari Klessig
- M
Maddie Da
A place set by Sara Huddleston
- K
Kaylee Jose
A place set by Nicole Dykstra
- Q
Quintin Am
A place set by Lyndsay Linsmeier
- X
Xavier Tobi
A place set by Krystal Swinehart
- E
Emerson M
A place set by Jenna Hovind
- L
Logan Willi
A place set by Emily Troyk
- E
Ellis Ebril M
A place set by Emma Myren
- L
Lucas Wey
A place set by Jenny Weyenberg
- M
Madelaine Martin
A place set by Tammy Martin
- N
Nathaniel Martin
A place set by Tammy Martin
- A
Alexander Jay Chopp
A place set by Penny Garbutt
- K
Kalum Weyburn
A place set by Jen Weyburn
- M
Mallory Grace Campbell
A place set by Autumn Campbell
Want your child seated at our table?
Submit your child's name through our secure form. We'll create the place-setting card, record a tribute video, and share it on our social accounts this Thanksgiving.
Inside Bereaved Together
Welcoming our new Board Treasurer & Secretary, honoring departing board members, and sharing our bold vision for Southeast Wisconsin.
Welcoming Our New Board Treasurer: Sarah Bourne
Bereaved Together is honored to welcome Sarah Bourne as our new Board Treasurer. Sarah brings 18 years of high-level finance and accounting leadership, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer of the Children's Tumor Foundation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership.
Leadership & Mission Connection
- Introduced through Board Director Sarah Dominguez (Ty's Mom), connecting deeply to our mission.
- Oversees nonprofit fiscal stewardship, financial transparency, and fiduciary excellence.
- Proud mom of two sports-loving kids; passionate advocate for enduring bereavement resources.
Announcing Our New Secretary: Angela Harvey
We are overjoyed to announce Angela Harvey as our new Board Secretary. After losing her son Connor, Angela spent over two years feeling stuck and isolated — until attending our Bereaved Mother's Conference became a turning point. Her lived transformation inspired her to become our community ambassador and wellness advocate.
Heart & Leadership
- 21 years of service at Froedtert Health (HIM) & a Health & Wellness Coach with Mindset Matters.
- Carries the love of son Connor into every gathering as our Online Community Ambassador.
- Stewards board records & keeps our digital community warm, seen, and held.
With Deepest Gratitude
We extend our most heartfelt thanks to Denise Opansky (Ari's Grandma) and Kirstie Schoenecker (Rylie's Mom) for their devoted service and unwavering commitment to Bereaved Together and our mission. As former Board Treasurer and Board Secretary, they helped build the foundation upon which this community now stands. We look forward to their continued support through regular volunteering — their love, leadership, and light remain woven into everything we do.
Denise Opansky
Denise served Bereaved Together with steadfast devotion as our inaugural Board Treasurer, carrying the deeply personal love of a grandmother for her granddaughter Ari. She guided our earliest fiscal stewardship with integrity and heart. We look forward to her continued support through regular volunteering as a beloved founding voice of this mission.
Kirstie Schoenecker
After the loss of her daughter Rylie in 2019, Kirstie began making bears and bracelets for NICU families and bereaved families. She served Bereaved Together with tender precision as our Board Secretary. Her heart-led stewardship is woven into our foundation. We look forward to her continued support through regular volunteering.
The BRAVE Space: Capital Campaign for SE Wisconsin Wellness Collective
Our God-breathed goal is to open a physical wellness collective in southeastern Wisconsin—a safe, permanent sanctuary where bereaved mothers gather for holistic healing modalities and compassionate community.
Funding the Vision
- Our first-ever Bereaved Together Golf Outing raised $23,752 — restricted funds dedicated to building The BRAVE Space.
- Over $10,000 already secured through earlier fundraising efforts, sustained by corporate sponsorships and faithful monthly givers.
Friday, August 20, 2027 at Muskego Lakes Country Club. It will sell out this year — secure your foursome early.
EVENTS
Upcoming BRAVE Moves wellness gatherings for November & December 2026. Register directly through our store to reserve your place.
BRAVE Moves · Milwaukee & Madison
Every gathering includes a Bereaved Together journal, gentle movement, reflective connection, light refreshments, and a take-home pampering care package.
Foam Rolling to Release
Myofascial release, restorative breath, and sacred community connection.
Grief changes the body and breath. Learn gentle foam rolling techniques to ease somatic tension and sit in safe, like-hearted sisterhood with other bereaved moms.
Barre Strength
Gentle strength, breath & intentional movement honoring your grief in the body.
A guided wellness gathering curated for bereaved mothers to reflect and connect using the power of movement and community. Includes a Bereaved Together journal, refreshments, and a pampering take-home care package.
Yin Yoga for Grieving Hearts
Deep meditative postures, restorative stillness, and gentle holiday holding.
A slow, grounding Yin practice designed to support the nervous system during the tender December holiday season. No experience necessary.
Breathwork & Restorative Movement
Breathwork practice & gentle movement exercises for somatic release.
An evening of reprieve letting your mind and body work together through a gentle, restorative breathwork practice and movement exercises. Includes a Bereaved Together journal, light refreshments, and a pampering take-home care package.
The BRAVE Wellness Corner
Interactive holistic support across Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul — plus this month's seasonal reflection and prayer.
Creating a Safe 'Gentle Escape' Plan for Holiday Gatherings
"Why setting an exit code word with your spouse or friend can instantly lower your anxiety before stepping into family events."
When grieving mothers and their families attend family dinners or holiday parties, sensory overload and unexpected questions like 'How are you holding up?' can cause intense emotional freezes. Before stepping out of your car, agree on a subtle signal with your support person (e.g., placing a hand on your shoulder or saying 'Did we check the oven?'). This signals it's time to take a 10-minute breather in the fresh air or make a graceful departure without explaining yourself to anyone.
"What signal or boundary would give my heart the greatest sense of safety this month?"
Actionable Wellness Steps:
Coping with Grief in the Darker Winter Months
"Grief is already exhausting. It asks the body to carry what the heart cannot put down. As the days grow shorter, let yourself need what you need. Seek the light when you can. Rest when your body asks. Lower the expectations that were never designed for a grieving heart."
A print-friendly, somatic self-care guide for bereaved mothers navigating darker winter days & holiday fatigue.
What's Your BRAVE?
Voices of Bereaved Mothers
Real stories from bereaved mothers in our Bereaved Together community — sharing their BRAVE. Read each full post on our blog.
Kirstie Schoenecker
Rylie's Mom & Board Communications
Published October 15, 2024 · 9 min read
Kirstie's BRAVE Story | In Loving Memory of Rylie
After 18 months of fertility treatments, we found out we were expecting our daughter Rylie Michele. On Labor Day weekend at 25 weeks, Rylie was born micro-preemie at 2 lbs 8 oz. When Rylie passed away, my body and heart were broken. But time, counseling, and our community brought cracks of light. Today, as a mom to our son Jensen, I know joy and grief can be held in the same hand.
- In loving memory of sweet Rylie Michele (born at 25 weeks)
- Navigating micro-preemie loss, NICU stays, and grief in marriage
- Finding hope and joy alongside grief as mom to son Jensen
On the Horizon
Upcoming events, workshops, gatherings and registration opportunities.
Be Held.
BRAVEher 2027: Be _______.
A sacred, faith-rooted two-day gathering for bereaved mothers and female supporters — connection, encouragement, and the freedom to grieve and heal together.
May 1 & 2, 2027
Waukesha & Richfield, WI
Moms & Female Supporters
Faith-Rooted Gathering
Registration Opens February 1, 2027
Passes include 1-Day & Full Weekend Experience options.
THE NOVEMBER GIVING MEMO
Your gift directly funds healing, community, and remembrance for bereaved mothers.
#GivingTuesday
This Giving Tuesday, join a global movement of radical generosity. Your gift to Bereaved Together ensures a bereaved mother finds community, healing, and a place where her child's name is spoken with love — not forgotten in the holiday rush.
Every single dollar donated to Bereaved Together directly softens the landing for a mother who experienced the death of her child. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your generous support ensures all peer support groups, guidebooks, and community events remain accessible for grieving families.
Select an Impact Level to Donate:
A 2-Hour Wellness Experience
Provides a 2-hour wellness experience for a bereaved mother — a sacred space to breathe, rest, and be held by community.
“At a Loss for Words” Guidebooks
Gifts a mom with our “At a Loss for Words” guidebooks for her and her supporters, helping loved ones know what to say and how to show up.
BRAVE Moves Gathering Materials
Provides the necessary materials and supplies for our monthly BRAVE Moves gatherings, where bereaved mothers connect and move forward together.
A Seat at BRAVEher
Provides access for a mother to attend BRAVEher — our signature retreat experience designed to nurture, restore, and empower bereaved women.
Community-Wide Remembrance Events
Helps fund our community-wide remembrance events, where families gather to honor their children's names and light candles together.
The Continued Growth & Vision
Invests in the continued growth and vision of Bereaved Together — expanding chapters, programs, and reach to more grieving families nationwide.
For those who wish to leave a lasting mark of love, the Lion Legacy honors our most generous benefactors. A gift of $5,000 or more becomes a permanent tribute — ensuring that no bereaved mother ever has to walk alone, and that her child's name is carried forward in a community built to hold her. Our new Lion Legacy wall is currently being built — each benefactor's name and tribute will be engraved alongside the children they honor.
- A named tribute honoring your loved one within Bereaved Together
- Permanent recognition on our Lion Legacy wall (currently in progress)
- Founding-level support of new chapters, retreats, and remembrance events
- Invitations to exclusive leadership gatherings and invites to special opportunities at our remembrance events
Our new Lion Legacy wall is being built — visit to view honored children (including Twinkle Gabriel and Colin Strebe; stories in progress).
Choose any amount, or give a custom gift of any size — every dollar supports a bereaved mother and her family this season.
Receive the BRAVE Note
Join thousands of bereaved mothers and supporters. Get our weekly BRAVE Note wellness email every Monday and early access to each new monthly issue of THE BRAVE MEMO.
Respectful, privacy-focused emails. Unsubscribe anytime with one click.