Testimonials
Jim
Hi Kevin
I sit here doing my own grieving work with tears in my eyes.
Writing a note to my 2 other siblings and father. Sharing my feelings and thoughts.
The urgency I feel for my father and one brother – both out of town – to be coming to spend at least some quality time with Tom while he is still reasonably strong.
The tears well up un-announced. It seems to be helping and truly your tool box is good.
I initially started this note to you as a suggestion for the site.
Now it is, first and foremost, a thank you. Partly for the short time and talks we have had, partly for the web site content and more importantly I think the fact that you get it. You understand. One can tell you things and you listen. One feels comfortable knowing you are there. Not needing a response. Just to speak. Then when you do speak it makes sense, has value and is functionally usable in the listeners life.
Participants of a Grief Group led by Kevin
Tim – This session brought forward feelings of anger that l"ve been suppressing. I had a very good stress free week and now just talking about the anger had made me feel tense. It has made me realize that I must deal with the anger in a constructive way so it doesn’t fester inside of me. Thanks.
Julian – Apprehensive at beginning because the emotions held back for most of the week comes out at the beginning of each session. The drawing and writing out of feelings helps one to see things a little clearer and makes the process easier to deal with!
Betty – I am relieved to get started on dealing with this and I’m encouraged by this meeting. I think this is a big step in the right direction for me. Thank you.
Larry – I suppose the first thought that comes to mind is “safe”. I already feel that I just might be able to deal with all this confused-angry pain. Prior to tonight I was just about ready to accept that my life was simply a mess now… and that’s simply the way God intended it to be for me… and those around me. The unfortunate people that have to put up with my mood-swings. Just maybe things will change and get better – they must change, because I know in my heart that I can’t go on otherwise.
Susan – Relief, I guess that I have somewhere to grieve, cry, and unleash any thoughts that disturb me. Networking with others is very therapeutic and gives me some sense of control of my life. Going in, head on, so to speak makes me feel like I’m in some sort of control and that in itself makes me feel I’m going in the direction I need to go. Without drugs, alcohol, or medication. I feel like I may be able to weather this storm. Thank God I have this resource!
Susan – Facilitator who works with youth
I would like to recommend Kevin as a specialist working with youth. I work for a non-profit society which mentors and trains high risk youth to get off the streets and give back to society through employment and education. We have a high success rate and it is primarily due to the family setting and the heavy focus on mentoring.
Kevin walked into the room of 15 high risk youth and talked straight to the hearts of each of them. He talked about his own experiences on loss and what it means on a number of levels. He was calm, direct, interactive, realistic and open minded.
Before graduation (after a 6 month intensive program) a number of my youth said that Kevin’s talk was the highlight of the whole program. For one young man it was putting the loss of different family members in context and allowing him to prioritize his grief in a new way. For another young woman it was about the loss of her dog.
Kevin has a gift in his work with grief. He sees no age or color but sees the Spirit. And, I believe, he has a gift in healing the Spirit in people – helping them become whole people again.
For my kids this blessing touched each of them deeply. Kevin isn’t about religion or teaching. He is about moving past the human stuff into the sphere of unconditional Love and healing.
Sincerely, Susan
Participants in a Youth Program
I would like to thank you for coming into my class and speaking. I would also like to thank you for letting me open up about the loss of my dog. It meant a lot to me because not many strangers are willing to listen about someone’s dog and to any ordinary person that is what he was, just a dog. Thanks again for the opportunity to open up.
Yours Truly,
Lynn
Thank you for coming in and talking to us. Thank you also for sharing you made me feel like I’m not alone. I went through similar things when I was younger except my Mom was into drugs and we haven’t spoken in a year and a half. It’s really hard when you lose a parent for something so stupid as drugs or alcohol.
Thank you,
Melanie
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the time you shared with us yesterday. I found your personal story uplifting and I want you to know that I took something positive from your support. I think there should be more people like you with your compassion for that would make our society a better place. Keep on doing what you are doing.
Sincerely,
Mike
Leadership Skills
I have just completed being an assistant to Kevin Hegseth for the first two grief support groups. Before going any further I would like to say I am so grateful to have had this great opportunity to be an active participant in the inception of Crossroads Grief Support Group. I have only improved myself in so many ways. Having never done anything like this before, Kevin gave me such support and he believe in me. Through his guidance and expertise I feel quite confident in my role as a co-facilitator for the next ten week grief groups.
The many hours spent on learning the dynamics of a support group and the careful preparation required to facilitate a group – all created confidence. I cannot imagine what it would be like to face ten anxious grieving people without this personalized training and guidance.
Respectfully submitted,
Merlyn
This is a belated note to thank you for the leadership you provided at our very special church gathering on that snowy Sunday in December. What a surprise it was a few weeks later to be presented with a “Bravery Award” for making it through the snow to church that day! Thank you for all the trouble you went to make and present these awards. I use to receive awards for attending Sunday School when I was a child in Australia, however this is the first award I’ve received as an adult. I will treasure it.
Melinda
Participants in One Day Workshop on Divine Forgiveness
Very powerful, a genuine step in the right direction down my new found path. I feel as though it provided answers to many of the questions I sought today. I got everything I wanted out of this day and more.
Thanks, Mel
Awesome. Reaffirmed some issues I have been dealing with on my own. Confirmed that I am where I am supposed to be right now. It was a privilege to be here and to witness breakthroughs for others and myself. This would make a great retreat workshop.
Cindy
I found this workshop incredibly powerful. I cleaned some of the things I needed with gentleness. I have learned to see things in yet another light. We need more of this.
Thanks so much for the blessing
Mary
Funerals Officiated & Grief Support
We would like to thank you for your help on Friday and the days that preceded, in the difficult task of planning the service for our dad. We are truly grateful for the words you put together and so eloquently spoke of him. Your kindness and support over at the house and through phone calls gave us comfort in knowing dad’s story would be well told, where we didn’t have the strength ourselves to tell it.
With sincerest thanks,
Ted, Bill, Daren and their families
Words can’t express the gratitude I feel towards you for helping me through the toughest, most emotional period of my life . . . the loss of my Dad. Without your caring and understanding, I’m not sure where I would be today. You’ve given me hope that in time things will get easier. For everything you have done, I am truly grateful.
Bev
I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to give me an overview of your Grief Program. It was extremely helpful to me and seems like an excellent program. I would really like to obtain a copy of your manual for facilitating. Take care and Kevin thanks again.
Sincerely,
Barbara
Compassionate Friends of Coquitlam
On behalf of the Compassionate Friends of Coquitlam, I would like to thank you sincerely for your participation in our Candlelight Memorial Service.
Your thoughtful and beautiful “Reflection” was a memorable tribute to our children whom we miss so much. it was kind of you to share this very special afternoon with us and your ‘pebbles’ will have special meaning to each one of us.
Kevin, we sincerely hope you will join us again soon, maybe at one of our sharing meetings, and we look forward to having you with The Compassionate Friends.
