August 8, 2025
It’s hard for me to put into words what Amber’s Father-Loss Workshop did for me. I went into the workshop, over 8 years without my dad, thinking that I would connect with some people, share some stories, hold back the tears, thank everyone and that would be that. What happened, rather, was such a profound change in my life that I will refer to life events as pre-Workshop and post-Workshop. Amber brought out in me such a strong sense of gratitude for moments my father and I shared and the beautiful recognition of the strong traits within me that he handed down. The narrative, since my father’s passing, had been one of “why?” Why did he leave his young family after divorce? Why did he come back? Why didn’t we have a better relationship? Why did he leave us in such a sad state? A negative and ultimately draining scenario. She showed me that the amount of energy that I put into holding animosity toward my father and his passing is ultimately taking a serious toll on me in the present. I have made the conscious decision to honor my father, good, bad, and everything between. I fully recognize the ways that I resemble him and draw strength from that connection knowing that his gift, his experience, his influence is a guidepost for me to take on the challenges I face in my life at the present moment. Life is too short to hold grudges, and even though we were in a good place when he passed, society has coached me to think negatively about how he should be defined as a father. I now see him otherwise and I am filled with the power and drive that he would love to see within me. A power that he saw, encouraged, nourished, cultivated and ultimately brought into being. He may not have been able to express those sentiments in a moment that fully resonated while he was living but those moment were certainly there. Our fathers are a part of us and whether their influence can provide an opportunity for growth and energy regardless.
All of the change was within me and how I decided to frame it. As an experienced guide Amber allowed me to come to these revelations by giving me the opportunity to express, inquiring, and holding space. Encouraging me to come to this moment on my own has truly meant that I am responsible for my own healing.
Further, the format of the Father-Loss Workshop allows for the utmost expression of compassion with the group. I was extremely humbled by others stories. Expressions of sorrow, love, loss, anger, betrayal, fear, gratitude, all valid and warranted and all a great opportunity to understand that we’re all human and we’re all processing something.