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Nan & Gary Zastrow |
In 1993 after the death of our son, Chad Zastrow, we formed
Wings. The purpose of Wings is to help other people who
are mourning the loss of a significant person in their lives, and to make
communities more aware of the impact that results from significant loss.
We found that grief such as this may be a life-changing event. And
sometimes people in our communities don't have a clue why we feel the way
we do. Gary and I agreed to not let this loss destroy our lives. Instead
we vowed that we would help communities be aware of the emotions and
changes that evolve around significant loss. Also we wanted to help others
who grieve understand that though our lives have changed our loved one
still has a special place in our heart and that our love for that person
is eternal. We can build rich, purposeful lives again. |
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Wings is the name we are most commonly known by although our organization is named
©Roots and Wings, Ltd. When we formed our non-profit organization in 1993, we only
published a magazine for the bereaved. But our
services have grown.
Please read our mission statement. |
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Wings began as a Tribute to our son, Chad E.
Zastrow, who
died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 16, 1993, at the age of 21. Since then, Gary and I
have been actively involved in helping other people who grieve. Today we have expanded and
now hold workshops, give presentations, and have
published a book.
- Wings
published a magazine
from 1993 until December 2003 for the bereaved and for caregivers. In
the magazine, Nan shared her journey and the journey of others through
experiences, feelings, and memories during grief.
- In July
2003, Nan began writing for Grief Digest—a
national magazine and product of Centering Corporation (a well-known
grief publisher. The editor, Andrea Gambill, was the founder of
Bereavement magazine from 1987--2000. As a contributor to this
magazine, Nan has found an opportunity to share her experiences
(through her writing) with a greater number of people.
- In 2004, Wings refocused on
their grief education ministry. As a non-profit organization,
they will continue to bring inspiration and hope through the work they
do. Nan and Gary will offer Presentations, Informal talks, Support Groups, and workshops for
the churches, business, and the community. For more information,
contact Nan at (715) 84-3424.
- Wings encourages personal healing through information and education about grief.
Healing our grief requires a personal commitment to understand why we feel the way we do.
It gives us the freedom to find purpose in living again. In my book, "Blessed are they that mourn. . .an observation about what
hurts and what heals," I discovered that the work of grief can lead to comfort
and peace.
- Wings provides awareness to the bereaved and to the community about the process,
not the event of grief. We combine personal feelings and
professional thoughts to help us understand the process of grief work. We tell real
stories about real people who have walked the journey of grief before us and can now show
us the way. Check our Articles section for information
and inspiration.
- Wings initiates healing by sharing. We promote a healthy
approach to grief, not necessarily to change behavior. We listen without
comparing your journey with others. When you share your feelings, you not only heal your
own pain, but also confirm to others that they are not alone. Check our
survey section which allows you
to give your perspective about grief. How have you changed during your journey
so far? We’d like to hear from you.
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