Our Mission
Our mission is to help hurting people find hope and peace in their pain after the loss of a child.
Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and it's a journey no family should have to endure alone. Smile Again Grief Ministries supports grieving families and individuals after the death of a loved one. We especially support parents and siblings after the death of a child (from stillborn through adult children). By offering child loss support and resources for grieving parents, we hope to bring peace and healing during an incredibly difficult time.
Smile Again is open to all grieving people, regardless of religion or background. Our goal is to help all people find support and hope in the most difficult time of their lives. We are motivated by our faith in Christ, but our agenda is to listen, love, and support people wherever they are in their journey.
What we do.
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The Smile Again Lodge
The Smile Again Lodge is a retreat center where grieving families find support in their efforts to cope with the loss of a child, providing comfortable accommodations in a beautiful, secluded location near Crosslake, Minnesota.
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Grief Coaching
Most people don’t know what to do or say following a tragedy of the death of a child. Smile Again Grief Ministries provides coaching and encouragement for the close friends and relatives of families in crisis after losing a child.
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Grief Seminars
Smile Again Grief Ministries provides seminars, workshops, and inspirational talks on a variety of grief and suffering-related topics for churches, community groups, and other organizations.
How it all started.
Smile Again Grief Ministries was started by Judy and Pat Misener, after their 13 year old daughter, Mickey, died from heart disease. While dealing with their own grief, Judy and Pat realized there were very limited resources available to help parents cope with the loss of a child. Although there are books on the subject, the Miseners found there just wasn't much hands-on help available.
In 1999 Smile Again Grief Ministries began informally at the dining room table of Pat and Judy’s home in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. By simple word of mouth, parent after parent started to call looking for help. As a result of people’s interest, small group and individual counseling began to take place. In 2009, The Smile Again Lodge, a retreat center on Pickerel Lake in rural Crosslake, Minnesota, opened to the public to allow for grieving families to find support in their efforts to cope with the loss of a child.
Learn how to smile again.
Deep in the Northwoods of Crosslake, Minnesota, the Smile Again Lodge sits on a secluded property located near Pickerel Lake. Our retreat center is a private and safe space to grieve, reflect, and escape the pressures of day-to-day life while you begin your journey of healing.