This retreat was awesome. Noreen is a wonderful host who makes you feel comfortable and right at home. As if we are family already. The home is spacious and comfortable, nestled in the mountains and is surrounded by trees and the setting is beautiful and serene.
Being with other angel moms was so very special. They get you, they understand the struggle of living without your child. The “new” life we didn’t want or ask for but are now making our way through.
We did a lot of different things, open discussions, art therapy, making jewelry, watching a couple movies. Listening to music and a candlelight vigil with our angels. Sharing our stories and our angels, we cried, we laughed and we were healing ❤️‍🩹 as we went along.
I wasn’t sure about attending this or what to expect but I am so very glad I went! If you are on the fence about taking that step you won’t regret going at all. This was the best decision I could have made for myself. I met a great group of angel moms whose friendship I will treasure.
Our last night there I told Noreen that I felt “lighter” as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Thank you Noreen for everything!
My angel is Drew Hill
Sunrise 5/16/93
Sunset 3/21/18

I want to start out by saying that I am not an Angel Mom. I was offered a position by Noreen to help her with Crystals Heart Healing House Retreats and many other things as well. I just started right before the retreat and my first day was when the retreat started. I had no idea what was in store for me, but I knew that this is where I was supposed to be. When you arrive you immediately see just how beautiful the place is. Then you are greeted with open arms by Noreen. She has this way of making everyone feel comfortable and at home. She opens up her family home for Parents who have experienced the loss of their child due to addiction. You can see the love she has for Crystal, and you feel her presence there. In fact the more parents that walked in the door the more you felt like you were being watched over by there Angels. So, then you are shown where you will be staying for the retreat and got to settle in a little bit. All I could think was WOW. This is going to be an emotional week, I for the first time in a long time knew that I was right where I am supposed to be. So, I said a little prayer and Thanked God. With that being said, I could ramble on and on and talk in circles but I am not going to do that today! Here is what I can tell you about Crystals Heart Healing House. Grieving does happen here. I have seen for myself a parent walking in the doors not sure if they should have even come. Some were very quiet in the beginning. Then as each group met and had a chance to hear from other moms, the more they came out of there shell and you could see the healing they were getting. I will never forget some of the things that the moms have said and the things that they taught me. The more they talked about their Angel the more you could see the weights getting lifted off of them. Sure there were lots of tears....I am not going to lie, I was crying, A LOT... But you want to know what else there was.... Laughter LOTS OF LAUGHTER. The best part was when one mom said she cant remember the last time she laughed and didn't feel guilty. For once, some of these parents for even a split second were about to actually feel like there old self again. What was nice to see was that here you have many parents from different places come together in a place and meet for the first time. They do not know each other’s story or there Angel, but they all have a common bond. They all lost a child due to Addiction. They all experienced the loss of a child. That is something I do not wish upon anyone, and they have all been struggling with that pain. What was magical was watching all of these woman talking about there Angels. Watching each on of them for once not feel like they are being judged, and hearing that they are not the only one that felt the way they felt, or did the things they did, or thought the way they thought. They realized THEY ARE NOT ALONE. They don't have to feel that way ever again. I went on the retreat so I could get a better understanding of what goes on so I can help Noreen with her Non-Profit Organization she started. I will never understand the pain all of these women have gone through, nor do I want to understand it. Here is what I do understand. ALL of them are Stronger than they realize and are and inspiration to me. They have all taught me something valuable. Noreen has created a retreat that I will never forget, and I am pretty sure will anyone else. The ladies and I that walked in those door, all left a different person, and with a bunch of smiles, and laughter. Some who were avoiding dealing with their grief are leaving ready to tackle that battle back home. Addiction is a powerful disease that is sweeping our country and becoming the number one reason for death, being overdose. We need to get more people together and fight this war on Addiction, because no other parent should ever have to go through what all of these parents did. Each and every one of the ladies have shown me how much damage was done because of there child’s addiction. I come from a family and Addiction is in our genes. My mother passed away when I was 9 due to her addiction. So, hearing what these parents had to go through has helped me not want to ever put my father through that pain due my addiction. Each day these woman have helped me not to go back to it. Thank you Noreen for this opportunity to be apart of a special retreat. You have opened the door for healing and are paving a way for parents all across the world to see that they are not alone, and the more they meet other parents that truly do understand what they are going through you see this bond that can not be broken and then you see these woman want to make sure no other parent will have to experience what they did. I am so thankful for all of the woman at this retreat because you all have been apart of my healing and recovery and for that I am blessed. I am so excited to be apart of Crystals Heart Healing House and look forward to all the other parents will come to the retreat too. I would suggest you sign up for the next one, because you will leave there with an experience no words can describe. Thank you Crystal! Thank you Drew, Thank you, TJ, Thank you Rachel, Thank you Alyssa, Thank you Ricky, Thank you Melinda, Thank you Brandon, Thank you Kyle. I felt them all there and I know that they are all so proud of you ladies. You all have done a wonderful job!

The Crystal’s Heart Healing House, May 2023 retreat was absolutely phenomenal! Noreen makes you feel at home and welcomed from the minute You walk in the door. I was tired after a long day of travel and felt very comfortable to go take a little nap shortly after I arrived. The room was very inviting and the beds were so comfortable. I was grateful that there was plenty of time for rest and relaxation, which I desperately needed.
I immediately connected with the wonderful ladies that came to this retreat! I truly feel like I have an extended family with them for life. It’s crazy how you connect with perfect strangers instantly because of the unfortunate bond we share. We started the retreat by getting to know each other and our angels which was emotional, but I felt super comfortable shedding tears, and being completely transparent with these ladies. No judgment, just complete understanding and that’s what it was about. After our sharing time I felt like I knew each of their children/Angels and I feel like they got to know my Ricky.
I didn’t really know what to expect or what I would get out of the retreat but I can tell you, I got way more out of it and I could’ve imagined! I left there feeling like I had a weight lifted off my shoulders. To be surrounded by people people that truly understood my grief, was absolutely therapeutic. The arts and crafts were relaxing and enjoyable, and the food was awesome! It was fun cooking with different people while visiting and sharing stories, and getting to know them. The home sits on the most beautiful, serene land. I found myself many times sitting out on the back porch alone, and just enjoying the birds chirping and watching the wild turkeys pass through the yard. I definitely hope I get to go back again. It was absolutely fantastic and I would recommended anybody who has lost a child to addiction or overdose to take the time for yourself, and go to this retreat.
Mary Pescatore
My Angel is “Ricky”
Richard Alexander Larsen Jr
11/13/83 - 07/11/19

You are not alone ! That is what I learned when I attended the retreats at Crystal’s Healing House. I attended the retreat in October 2021 and the retreat in May 2023. The beautiful house is nestled in the mountains of Ellijay, GA. I lost my daughter Rachel in August, 2019 to a heroin overdose. I learned there is life after loss. I made great friends and realize I am not alone in my grief struggles. Both retreats were very spiritual for me. We shared our stories, we cried, we laughed, and loved on each other. Losing a child to an overdose is the hardest thing I personally have ever experienced. You will not be disappointed if you decide to attend. Kim Lance Mt Juliet, TN

After contemplating going on this retreat for a few years I decided it was time to commit. This is something I struggle with especially after the passing of my son Brandon. Things sound like a good idea at the time but when it comes time to go I bulk at the idea. But As we all tomorrow is never promised so now I take time to take care of myself and help myself heal. One of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. Going into a house full of women that I have never met is WAY outside of my comfort zone! But if I want to feel different I have to do something different. However having one thing in common (the loss of a child) brings comfortability knowing I am NOT alone. There is a certain bond that we have that unless you experienced you would not understand. I went into this Retreat scared yet open minded. What I hoped to get from this retreat was to Meet Mom’s that I could relate to and learn from. I hoped to find more comfort, peace and understanding in my heart. And to let God give me what I needed and keep an open mind to receive his blessings. What I received was more than I could have ever imagined or asked for. I received love, understanding and friendships from moms that I believe will Last for a lifetime . We crafted,Watched movies, had a ballon release , shopped, ate and prayed together. But most of all we laughed and we cried but most of all we healed together as a loving sisterhood. This helped heal my broken heart more than words could ever explain. If you are on the fence about going on this retreat please take the leap and just do it! You will not regret it. Well worth the love and blessings you will receive. Your heart heal a little more I promise .