On May 17, 2026, On Angels’ Wings hosted its first-ever Spa Day for recipient mothers in the St. Louis service area, creating a space for women navigating infant loss or the ongoing care of medically fragile children to rest, connect, and receive support from their community.
The free event was held at Kairos Studio, which donated its space for the day’s activities and services.
Founded in Springfield, On Angels’ Wings has hosted annual spa days for recipient mothers for several years, but this marked the first time the organization expanded the experience into the St. Louis area.
“These moms spend so much of their lives pouring into everyone else,” said Michelle Cramer, founder and executive director of On Angels’ Wings. “Whether they’re caring for a medically fragile child around the clock or carrying the emotional weight of child loss, many struggle to give themselves permission to slow down and care for themselves. We wanted this day to remind them that they deserve support too.”
The event opened with a group yoga session led by Neha Pratihar to help attendees settle into a relaxed and receptive mindset before rotating through a series of wellness and self-care stations throughout the afternoon.
Upon registering for the free event, recipient mothers selected which services interested them most. Organizers then rotated attendees through the stations to ensure every mom had the opportunity to participate in multiple experiences while also leaving room throughout the day for rest and conversation.
Between services, attendees were encouraged to enjoy refreshments, spend time together, and build connections with women who understand the unique realities of grief and caregiving.
“Community is one of OAW’s core values, and events like this are intentionally designed to create opportunities for connection,” Cramer said. “What these families experience can feel incredibly isolating. We create downtime throughout the day so they can simply sit together, talk, laugh, process, and realize they’re no longer alone in what they’re carrying.”
Local businesses and volunteers donated their time and expertise to provide a variety of services throughout the event, including:
- A group yoga session led by Neha Pratihar
- Grief coaching from Teresa Reiniger of Living After Grief and LaWayna Berry, LPC, with Allberry Coaching, who worked together to support attendees wherever they were emotionally in the moment
- Mary Kay facials provided by Alanté Ghannam
- Permanent jewelry from Oanh Harvey of Goldeluxe.Stl
- Nails provided by Jessica Kearns with Red Aspen
- Somatic response and trauma-release techniques taught by Elizabeth Ray-Kowalik of Ray-Kowalik Wellness Group
- 15-minute massages provided by Holly Steinbecker, licensed massage therapist with Moonshadow Massage & Energy Work
Additional community members and supporters contributed items for spa swag bags given to each attendee. Maddie Smith donated handmade soaps, while Windy Linde of Linde Esthetics & Wellness Studio donated lip balms for the mothers. Recipient mother Kashyarra Stanley also contributed handmade friendship bracelets for fellow attendees.
Volunteer photographer Julie Wilson of Julia Elaine Photography coordinated and ran the event locally alongside volunteer Denise Unnerstall with support and direction from Cramer remotely from Springfield.
“We are so grateful for volunteers who step up to make events like this possible in new communities,” Cramer said. “Expanding into the St. Louis area in this way would not have happened without Julie and Denise being willing to lead with compassion, flexibility, and heart.”
Recipient Megan Parker described the day as deeply meaningful.
“It was great,” Parker said. “I loved all of the sessions that I had. All of the ladies were so kind and inspiring. It was an overall great experience.”
Recipient Micah Smiley shared that the emotional connection created throughout the day was just as impactful as the services themselves.
“Attending the event hosted by On Angels’ Wings was an experience I didn’t realize I needed so deeply,” Smiley said. “The spa treatments and self-care were incredible, but the most meaningful part was connecting with other mothers who truly understand the daily realities of raising children with medical complexities. For once, I felt seen, understood, and surrounded by people who didn’t need an explanation. The event created a space filled with comfort, support, and genuine connection, and I left feeling emotionally refreshed in a way that is hard to put into words.”
Stephanie Weidknecht didn’t get to celebrate Mother’s Day with her family because she had to work. “This was what my soul truly needed,” she said. “I connected with other medical moms who understand our life and got to be pampered at the same time. I got a mimosa in hand, a permanent jewelry bracelet, massage, some personal coaching, and a facial. Thank you OAW and the volunteer vendors for putting this together.”
Vendor LaWayna Berry shared how impactful the experience was for her as well.
“Volunteering with these mommas means more than giving my time—it means showing up with compassion, holding space for stories that matter, and reminding women that they are not alone,” Berry said. “Giving back is my way of turning love, healing, and hope into action. Every hug, conversation, and shared moment becomes a reminder that even in life’s hardest seasons, community can help carry the weight.”
Cramer said the event is designed not only to provide temporary rest, but to encourage mothers to continue seeking moments of care and connection long after the event ends.
“We hope these moms leave feeling seen, valued, and reminded that caring for themselves matters too,” Cramer said. “Even a few hours of support, encouragement, and peace can help create space to keep moving forward.”
On Angels’ Wings provides free therapeutic photography and ongoing grief recovery support to families facing a terminal-risk diagnosis for their child or infant loss. Based in Springfield, the organization serves families across seven states through a network of more than 135 volunteer photographers and support volunteers. Check here for qualification information.
