Respite Retreat is a weekend for married couples to spend unhurried time with other couples who understand the devastation of losing a child.
We gather to learn from each other, encourage each other, and experience renewed hope for the future. Respite is for couples with strong marriages, and for those whose marriages are struggling under the load of grief. It’s for those whose faith has grown through this loss, and for those who have hard questions. It’s for those who want to talk about their experience and their child, and for those who are tired of talking. It’s for couples whose loss is fresh, and for those who’ve been walking down this road for a while.
What Do You Do at the Retreat?
We share our stories with each other and pray for each other. Over the weekend, we talk about:
grieving together though we may be grieving very differently
helping our other children through grief
dealing with fractured friendships and family relationships
finding meaning and purpose in our loss, and joy in spite of our loss
coming to terms with lingering questions about God’s role in our loss
The weekend is not a conference or workshop. It’s not a group therapy session or a secular support group. It's a mixture of directed large-group conversation, enjoying meals together, and opening up God's Word together in search of perspective and hope that can only be found in Christ.
Who Comes to Respite Retreat?
Couples come from all over the country, as well as from outside the U.S. We've had couples who lost a child only a month prior to attending, couples whose loss was fifteen years prior, and everywhere in between. Our goal is to help couples take steps toward healing from wherever they are. We usually have a wide range of ages represented in the children who have died, from infants born still to young adults in their twenties or thirties, as well as a wide range of causes of death.
When is the Next Retreat with Openings?
After offering these retreats several times a year since 2009, having spent a weekend with almost 1000 grieving parents, we are no longer hosting these retreats in Nashville. We have handed off Respite Retreat to two younger couples, Gabe & Monica deGarmeaux and Casey & Melissa Belgard. We’ve been working with them for several years to prepare them to pick up the baton. Please know we would not entrust this ministry to just anybody. These two couples are not only capable, they’re terrific. They have already hosted retreats that were an incredible help to those who came and we know that they will serve you well should you decide to attend one of these retreats.
Our goal with Respite Retreat has always been to propel couples forward toward returned joy and hope. If you sense you need that, we really hope you will make a commitment to attend one of these retreats. We know you’ll be glad you did.
Respite Retreat at the River, hosted by Gabe and Monica deGarmeaux, is held at a home on the Guadaloupe River in McQueeney, Texas, centrally located between San Antonio and Austin. Their next retreat is April 4 - April 6, 2025. To inquire about their next retreat go to respiteretreatattheriver.com or send an e-mail to: RespiteRetreatattheRiver@gmail.com.
Respite Retreat at the Beach, hosted by Casey and Melissa Belgard, is held at a vacation rental on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Their upcoming retreat dates are February 13-16, 2025. To inquire about their next retreat go to Respite Retreat at the Beach.
WHAT RESPITE RETREAT ATTENDEES HAVE SAID
“I’ve been afraid to believe it is possible that God can heal my heart. I leave with a bit more faith that he can do that.”
“Grief has been lonely, like nobody gets it. Being here with people struggling but clinging to God helped me not feel so alone.”
“I was afraid it would be heavy and exhausting dredging it all up. I’ve cried, but it hasn’t been heavy; it’s been good.”
"I came in wondering if I could still trust God and I feel like I’m leaving with, ‘“Where else could I place my trust? I’ve exhausted my ideas.”
“This has been good for our marriage. It has enabled us to talk about our grief in a constructive way."
“This is like the worst summer camp ever, and I still don’t want to go home.”
"This has re-calibrated our grief and propelled us forward. We have felt adrift, and this gave us direction. "
"It was great to be able to talk about our son and his death and not feel judged."
“I can't believe the closeness and ease I feel after less than 48 hours together in a situation that could have been so awkward. This is the easiest group situation I've been in since my child died."
“I went to a support group that was me-centered. It is so good to be at something that helps me with the grief that is Christ-centered.”
"My husband and I have taken different routes in our grief and this weekend has brought us back together to common ground."
