The October retreat was six weeks ago and I am still reflecting on the weekend six of us had together. I was so glad to be at Lakeside. What a wonderful group of women. I have always believed that who is supposed to be there will be. We enjoyed learning new habits of celebration, sharing delicious meals and a fun movie, nature walks, solitude, community, a scavenger hunt, games, and lots of creativity. We were missing one retreater who ended up not feeling well the day before she was due at Lakeside, but know she will enjoy her time much more next spring when she is feeling better.

During the month of September, I came down with Covid after coming home from an out of state family wedding. I was under the weather for a couple of weeks and missed our second family wedding in Europe. Things happen. After the retreat my husband and I visited our daughter and her family in North Carolina. We were back a week when I pulled a muscle on my side and was once again not 100%. I knew it would heal if I gave it time and patience. I am grateful for a caring husband and good medical care when I need it. And I am ever so grateful that I was 100% for the retreat. I also made a trip to see my mother in Texas during November and had our three sons and their families for Thanksgiving soon after I returned. As December starts, I am almost back to normal and grateful for it all.

We never know what tomorrow will bring. How do you react when something happens you hadn’t planned on? Are you angry? Sad? Do you take it in stride, or do you take it out on the people around you? How can you be patient with yourself and your circumstance? I read many books while I was down and out and enjoyed many a cup of tea. I was fortunate to be able to take the time to heal. I know that if we pay attention to our bodies when they are compromised, we will heal faster allowing us to continue to stretch forward.