Dates: Arrive by 5 pm on July 16, depart after breakfast on July 21, 2025
Location: The Mountain Retreat, located up in the beautiful Smokey Mountains near Highlands,
NC.
Join us for a transformative 4-day retreat designed specifically for mothers who have experienced the profound loss of a child due to addiction or fentanyl poisoning. This retreat offers a safe and nurturing environment to connect with other mothers who share similar experiences, and to explore pathways to healing and renewal.

What to Expect

 Sacred Sharing Circles: Engage in heartfelt conversations with other mothers in a
supportive and compassionate setting.
 Rituals and Ceremonies: Participate in meaningful rituals and ceremonies that honor
your child and support your healing journey.
 Yoga: Gentle yoga sessions to help release tension, connect with your body, and find
inner peace.
 Soul Art: Express your emotions and memories through creative art exercises
 Mindfulness Practices: Learn mindfulness techniques to cultivate presence, calm, and
resilience.

Retreat Highlights

 Healing Community: Connect with a community of mothers who understand your grief.
 Expert Guidance: Benefit from the expertise of Grief Educators, mindfulness
practitioners, and somatic healing modalities.
 Nature Connection: Enjoy the serene and beautiful surroundings that provide a space for
reflection and peace.
 Nourishing Meals: Savor three healthy and delicious meals daily that support your well-
being throughout the retreat. Special dietary needs can be accommodated.
 Lodging: Renovated rooms with private bathrooms within a lodge dedicated to our
retreat will provide a nurturing space to rest and restore. The price of the retreat for five
nights is based on shared lodging.

About Charlotte Starfire:

Starfire is a writer, public  speaker, trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness and meditation practitioner, a ceremonialist, ritualist, and workshop facilitator. These skills have helped her navigate her deep grief at the loss of her son, Janaka Jaya, at age 37 from fentanyl poisoning after years of suffering from substance use disorder. Janaka was her only child, and he suffered from ADD, depression, and anxiety since early childhood. Charlotte supported Janaka in trying multiple recovery approaches over 20 years but the bio-chemical brain disorders were too powerful for him to overcome. Charlotte is focusing on supporting parents in grief through her work as a Group Leader in Love in The Trenches, as well as developing in-person wellness retreats for mothers seeking pathways to transform their painful grief into self- love and compassion. She recently retired from a career in international trade finance, and is currently writing a book with her beloved son as her ‘muse’ across the veil. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northeast Georgia. Charlotte is a Certified Grief Educator mentored by David Kessler and welcomes opportunities to share her experiences publicly.

About Sarah Sartipy:

Sarah Sartipy lost her son, Bijan, on October 11, 2019, to a fentanyl overdose. He was 21 years old. The five years preceding Bijan’s death were chaotic and tumultuous for his parents and sister. Bijan’s addiction ravaged the family emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Sarah joined the LITT ( Love in the Trenches ) grief group not long after losing Bijan where she found a safe place to share and process the trauma around addiction and grief. Through connection with other bereaved parents, she has been able to process the grief in a healthy way and regain a joyful life. This is the gift she wants to share with others. She lives in Baltimore with her partner and dog and stays close to her daughter who lives in NYC. Sarah Sartipy is a Certified Grief Educator.

A Special Event

Retreat participants will have a special treat one evening.  A private sing along concert by Sweet Charity Playing It Forward.  Uplifting music to soothe our hearts from songs we all know including Top 10 Soft Rock, Classic Rock, Folk and Country favorites.

Cost and Transportation:

 The cost of the retreat which includes 5 nights of shared lodging, a private bathroom,
and three meals daily, plus an enriching learning and sharing curriculum is $1500.
 Private rooms may be available on a first come first available basis for an extra cost of
$350.
 Transportation costs and arrangements on your own. Shuttle service is available from
the Asheville Airport and the Atlanta Airport. Asheville is closest, but there are more
limited direct flights there. Participants will be supported in coordinating and sharing
shuttle services.

Please reach out for financial assistance. We hope to have donations to offset costs for those who are facing financial challenges to attend.  If you are interested in assistance, please email Charlotte at Charlotte.Starfire@gmail.com

Spaces are limited to ensure a deeply enriching experience. Please register early to secure your spot. We look forward to welcoming you to this special retreat where you can find solace, strength, and a renewed sense of hope.
Contact Information: For more information, please contact Charlotte Starfire at 813-833-7776 or
Charlotte.Starfire@gmail.com.

Click Here to Register!

When prompted, select “Other Retreats”, then “2025 Journey Through Grief With Grace.”

Tax deductible donations to offset the cost of a mother’s attendance can be made directly to The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, a 501c3. Please consider a generous donation. When making a donation through Paypal, select “Starfire Retreat – Private” from the dropdown menu. PayPal charges a ~2.5% fee on your donation. If you want the full amount to go towards a scholarship, please mail a check to our PO Box and put in the description line that it’s for the Starfire retreat.