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Sharing the Journey from Bereaved to Shining Light Parent
Carolyn Hunt's Validation from her son Teo through Christopher Mendez

Carolyn Hunt's Validation from her son Teo through Christopher Mendez

  • Posted
    • Aug
    • 17
    • 2024
by Elizabeth Boisson

Christopher Mendez / Carolyn Hunt (wife Cecilie Surasky and son Teo)

Christopher Mendez LGBTQ Gallery Reading Testimonial

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

I was delighted to participate in the recent HPH gallery reading in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 with gifted medium Christopher Mendez and organized and hosted by Shining Light Parent Annie Adams—and grateful to have received beautiful messages of hope and healing from our son Teo. I appreciate the visibility and inclusion this gallery reading provided for me and other LGBTQ+ families within HPH.

We are a lesbian family living in Berkeley, CA and our beloved son Teo was raised (an only child) within an exceptionally loving community of lesbian and bisexual women, gay men, gender non-binary folk, and many supportive ally family members. Teo had a beautiful life here on the physical plane with his moms and enjoyed loads of unconditional love, devoted friends, activities and sports, and the freedom to be himself and pursue his interests. Teo accidentally and tragically passed away in July of 2020 at the age of 18, resulting in enormous grief for all in this interconnected web of community. Learn more about Teo HERE.

At one point, Christopher asked about “T.” I was startled as I wasn’t necessarily expecting a message on that particular day. [We call Teo “T” and “Tay-Tay” and other related affectionate names so eventually this did make sense to me.] It took a few minutes to sink into the reading and know for sure that Teo was coming through (fortunately I hit record on my phone). 

The interesting thing about Christopher’s messages was that they described the contours of my interior life (feelings, impressions, perceptions) and delved into the subtleties and specificities of my current relationship with our son. The medium talked about the day that T passed and how I had a feeling of foreboding and how we were together spiritually, a validation. “It feels like a whole-world spiritual connection between you and your son and the connection that you have is more on an energetic level.” This is also true. Christopher described how I can “connect on a higher spiritual level” with our son and how Teo wants to teach me…because “you always felt me all the time” energetically and that connection doesn’t diminish with this passing. 

We talked about the things I do to connect with Teo. I described a “continuous stream of connection and a constant conversation” now after 4 years. Christopher validated that that was exactly what he was feeling. He validated that our child is “at the next level” and in an angelic state which felt true and extremely comforting. Also, that we have gone through all of the sorrow together. 

Christopher talked about body wash! which of course made me laugh and would be consistent with Teo who was always very clean and thoughtful about appearance. Another message was that Teo is excited now about “who I am and what I accomplished on this planet” rather than the story of how he left (the end of a chapter). Christopher validated me: “I do feel that you have a very good mental demeanor and you have really worked on yourself through this journey and that the soul of your child and you really worked together to heal you.”

Christopher asked about another child. We have many young people in our lives, particularly a cousin who was raised as Teo’s sibling. This was validating as his cousin visited us that night.

Teo started making goofy faces and rolling his eyes—Teo always tried to make people laugh and uplift any situation. The reading ended with saying “goodbye” by embracing me on the back of my arms, giving a kiss on one side of my face, and a final message from Teo: “Thank you for always having (my) back and allowing (me) to shine and be the man, the person he is. I always was allowed to grow. I don’t really have many negative memories and that’s because of your guidance.” 

Thanks to Christopher and all who made this gallery reading an inclusive and uplifting experience!

~Carolyn Hunt

Please watch the YouTube video by clicking here.  



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