Lori Burke's Validation with her son Kevin and her daughter MaryEllen through the Shiome Healing Circle
Posted
-
- Nov
- 14
- 2026
by Elizabeth Boisson
I wanted to share my experience with the Shiome Healing Circle and express my gratitude for this beautiful opportunity.
When I registered for the class, I was searching for peace. A traumatic thought kept finding its way into my awareness, leaving me feeling scattered and unfocused. I was hoping to find some relief and a way to feel more like myself again.
From the beginning, the circle was such a warm and welcoming environment. Judith Hancox has a wonderful way of making everyone feel safe and cared for. She takes the time to explain each part of the process and is genuinely committed to helping every participant experience a decrease in their emotional pain level by the end of the session.
I've participated in the circle on two occasions, and what strikes me most is that each time, I seem to receive exactly what I need.
During my first experience, I was working through a painful memory involving my daughter MaryEllen. By the end of the session, I felt grounded, calm, and peaceful. While those feelings naturally come and go, the comforting image I found during that session remains something I can return to when I need it.
My more recent experience was quite different, but equally meaningful. During the healing exercise, as I worked with another difficult thought, something completely unexpected happened. An image of my son Kevin suddenly appeared in my mind. He was popping his head into view from every direction, playfully saying, "Hey, Mom! Hey, Mom!" It was so perfectly Kevin that I couldn't help but laugh.
In that moment, something shifted. What had felt so heavy suddenly became light, and even funny. The most remarkable part is that this shift has stayed with me, too. When that difficult thought comes into my awareness now, Kevin's playful image comes right along with it, and it still makes me laugh.
For the first couple of days following the session, I felt a little tired and emotional. But since then, I've felt happy, light, and back to my usual self.
One of the things I appreciate most about the Shiome Healing Circle is that there is absolutely no pressure to share your trauma. In fact, you don't have to speak at all. You can simply show up, feel safe, and allow yourself to receive. I think that is such an important reminder of what self care can look like. Sometimes we don't need to explain our pain. We just need a safe place to begin healing.
Above all, I am incredibly grateful to Judi for so generously offering this healing circle each month to the parents of Helping Parents Heal. Her warmth, compassion, and dedication are truly a gift.
What I've taken away from these experiences is something simple but profound: sometimes we receive exactly what we need, even when we don't know what that might be. One time it was calm and grounding. Another time it was laughter and lightness. Neither experience erased my grief, but both gave me something meaningful to carry forward.
With heartfelt gratitude,
~Lori Burke
Please join Judith Hancox, Lisa Wilcoxson, and Joyce McLaughlin for a Shiome Healing Circle the second Monday of the month. The next session will be on December 14th. Please click here to join!