Compassionate Friends connect and heal at retreat

The group describes it as rebuilding a connection to your environment and your sense of oneness with the universe to help feel less alone.

Event Cancelled

Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival cancelled after nearly 30 years

8h ago

Flood Hazards

Requests for proposals open for Water Reclamation bridge project

9h ago

Fire spreads to house

Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire

Apr 02, 2026

“Some call it “grounding,” that feeling of being connected to the earth by walking barefoot on the grass, listening to the birds or feeling the wind in your hair,” said Rose.

Sherman Dahl of The Emily Dahl Foundation was in attendance on the last day of the retreat, Sept. 18, to present to the group.

“I have come every year since [his daughter] Emily passed away in 2019. This year, me and my [dog] Frenchie ‘Frank the Tank’ went for a hike to the Hippie Hole and had a wonderful time with this compassionate group. This helps so much,” Dahl stated.

Frank the dog checks out the surroundings at the Compassionate Friends retreat (Sherman Dahl photo)

In his presentation to the group, Dahl shared the work of Joanne Cacciatore who wrote the book “Grieving is Loving.”

“Dr. Jo teaches us, that if you love, you will grieve — and nothing is more mysteriously central to becoming fully human. This book is a companion to carry with you throughout your day, to touch in with and be supported by when bearing the unbearable pain of a loved one’s death, whether weeks or years since their passing. Our culture often makes the bereaved feel alone, isolated, broken, and like they should just “get over it.” This book offers a loving antidote,” said Dahl.

Dahl passed on the following quote from Cacciatore’s book “Grieving is Loving” which he feels sums up the connection people have to the rest of the world if they stop and tune into it:

“Every tear you shed, and all the countless tears shed by myriad others throughout time and space, have become drops in the vast oceanic story of loving and grieving.” (Dr. Joanne Cacciatore).

For more information on Compassionate Friends, click here.