Memory Meal with Wellness House
Gathered around a long, shared dining table, we recently co-hosted a "Memory Meal" in partnership with The Wellness House, Hinsdale. This special event was designed to gather the families of the "Turtles" group—children moving forward with love and courage in their journey after losing a parent.
We have been helping our Together at Peace community bring to life "Memory Meals" in remembrance of their loved ones who have passed away which creates a moment in time to come together in community, breaking bread and healing hearts. We want to share a little bit about the layout and flow of the experience that hopefully inspires people to follow a similar template and create their own. With the incredible staff at The Wellness House, we set the dining table, adding soothing white floral centerpieces with soft blue and purple accents, our brand colors to give a cohesive feel that Together at Peace is behind you and surrounding your event with support. We wanted to create a safe and uplifting space of comfort and community where everyone invited could pause for a moment of remembrance, sharing stories and “Little Things” (which is how their light still shines) if they felt inspired. Guests were invited to bring cherished photographs, sparking conversations filled with laughter and tears, and shared memories in this peaceful space.
Our evening began with an interactive art activity led by Wellness House staff. Everyone was met with a thoughtfully designed collaborative and creative space where they were able to choose colors and materials to draw, in repeated places, something that reminds them of the loved one they lost. As stories unfolded alongside strokes of color, we felt the bonds of connection grow stronger. Sharing memories, signs of rainbows, favorite animals, special dates and favorite hobbies, we were introduced to the spirits of their loved ones and reminded of the hope that binds us together. The colors overflowed and so did art from the heart.
Once everyone had their creative time, they found a place at the table and helped themselves to a dinner buffet. During the meal, we nourished both body and spirit and shared our mission of remembrance, healing, hope, and how we want to help inspire tangible moments to keep our loved ones alive in our hearts. The little things are the big things.
Through our "Penny for your thoughts" activity, collective moments of remembrance, we honored our loved ones, finding comfort in our shared stories. We had set each place setting with a small heart-shaped dish full of pennies. Every few place settings, we filled a vase with water and set a floating candle on top. It emulates a "wishing well” with the warm glow of a flame representing the light of love. It's a beautiful activity that everyone can participate in with words or simply by throwing a penny in the well if they prefer. Each person started with a special memory or "little thing" about their loved one. Although there was pain, this also gave us something to do with all the love. It helped faster hopeful conversations to support the children, remaining parents and grandparents to share their unique experiences and memories. The group was moved to ask more questions and learn a little bit more with each moment shared. There was beautiful shared laughter and meaningful supported tears. It was a tangible moment in time where everyone could reflect, share and spread the light that still shines.
As the night concluded, each guest received a laminated placemat created by The Wellness House Staff with an image of the collective artwork they created before they moved to the dining table—a tangible reminder of our journey together, a memento of this heartfelt meal full of support and the resilience of the human spirit.
In the quiet moments that followed, we carried with us the echoes of shared laughter and the whispers of shared tears. For in coming together, we found strength, a profound sense of hope and the enduring power of love.
