More than 70 women gathered on Monday, May 6 for a Nurture to Remember event which provided a day of relaxation and healing.
The morning was organized by Forever Footprints, an Orange-based group which supports women who have experienced pregnancy or child loss.
Daniela Schreck, left, and Tracy Allen take a selfie at the art therapy table during a Nurture to Remember event in Lake Forest, Calif., Monday, May 6, 2024. Forever Footprints brought together women for a day who have suffered pregnancy or baby loss. well-being and healing. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yareli Lloyd honors her son Elijah at a Nurture to Remember event in Lake Forest, Calif., Monday, May 6, 2024. Forever Footprints brought together women who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss for a day of care and healing. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Angel Frank practices breath work during a Nurture to Remember event in Lake Forest, Calif., Monday, May 6, 2024. Forever Footprints brought together women who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss for a day of care and healing. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kristyn Von Rotz, founder and director of Forever Footprints, hugs a participant during a Nurture to Remember event in Lake Forest, Calif., Monday, May 6, 2024. Women who have experienced pregnancy or child loss have gathered for a day of care and healing. . (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
More than 70 women participate in a Nurture to Remember event in Lake Forest, CA on Monday, May 6, 2024. Forever Footprints brought together women who have experienced pregnancy or child loss for a day of care and healing. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Participants do yoga during a Nurture to Remember event in Lake Forest, Calif., Monday, May 6, 2024. Forever Footprints brought together women who have experienced pregnancy or child loss for a day of care and healing. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stefany Fuentes hugs another attendee during a Nurture to Remember event in Lake Forest, Calif., Monday, May 6, 2024. Forever Footprints brought together women who have experienced pregnancy or child loss for a day of care and healing. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Women could get their hair and nails done, practice yoga and breathing, work to relax, and do art therapy to honor their child.
They were also encouraged to connect with other moms to help them on their healing journey.
“A lot of us don’t have birthday parties, or graduations,” said Kristyn Von Rotz, founder of Forever Footprints.
“Mother’s Day is coming and a lot of women here don’t have their babies on Mother’s Day. But we’re still moms,” she said. “We mother our babies, but in a very different way.”
Rotz founded the organization 20 years ago after losing her son in 2004.
She saw a lack of education in the medical community, she said, and in supporting families who have lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, miscarriage or infant death.
Today, the organization offers support groups, helps educate the medical community and hosts healing events.
The group’s annual Walk will take place on October 5 to celebrate the lives of children.
