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Post by butterflykisses on Jun 10, 2010 8:21:34 GMT -5
The south would be great
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Post by tarad on Jun 10, 2010 9:08:03 GMT -5
Spring or Fall 2011 would work best for me as I'm due in December. I vote for the Northeast but could probably make the South work depending on how far south it is! I'm in NJ so could travel as far as VA with no problem.
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Post by violinqueen on Jun 10, 2010 12:40:35 GMT -5
What happened at the last retreat? I know that this is a very open-ended question. I have never been to a retreat like this
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Post by manusmama on Jun 10, 2010 13:09:30 GMT -5
I would be able to go somewhere in the NE without a problem but could make it to the south if it were in Spring or Fall of 2011.
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Post by aubreymadison on Jun 10, 2010 15:11:30 GMT -5
I would love to go to one how about if we make one in the NW some time. For us Alaskans and Canadians we need something NW.
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Post by Hayley's Mom on Jun 11, 2010 9:48:02 GMT -5
I would love to come!! NE would be best for me as well.
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dmf53
Full Member
Posts: 231
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Post by dmf53 on Jun 11, 2010 12:39:03 GMT -5
I would be glad to describe the retreat, but I was sort of hoping someone else who was there might weigh in. (I wasn't the only one there, I promise!)
I'm not going to sugar coat this - it wasn't always lighthearted and fun. There were a lot of tears. However, I felt like so much was lifted from my heart. Grief work is hard work, but not not having the supports and tools I need to move forward is worse.
We spent a lot of time talking about our children. There were NO insignificant details about their lives,our loss, our hopes and dreams for them, and how our lives have changed. Clara and Jimmy are wonderful facilitators, and made sure everyone was able to feel safe and supported, even when it meant no sleep for them.
There was a good blend of group work, and time to be alone with our thoughts. We talked about our support systems (or lack of them) and about coping skills. There were people who had VERY recent losses, and some who had been grieving for many years.
WE HONORED OUR CHILDREN, AND I KNOW THEY WERE PROUD OF US!
Personally, I left PA with renewed faith, and with lifelong friends. (I had never met ANY of them before arriving at the retreat.) To be perfectly honest, I almost turned back many times, right until the point of pulling into the campgrounds. I'm so glad I didn't - this was a life changing weekend.
If anyone has other questions, please feel free to PM me.
Forever grateful to the Hinton family,
Dru
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Post by violinqueen on Jun 11, 2010 13:56:03 GMT -5
Thank you for the reply, Dru! I agree, grieving is hard work & having someone who is going thru it too makes the journey easier or at least not so lonesome... It sounds like the retreat was incredible! It's so important to have a safe place to grieve, & to connect to other people to strengthen one another. Too often we are lost & alone in our grief. I hope to attend the next retreat!
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Post by ty'smommy on Jun 12, 2010 11:37:04 GMT -5
NE would work for me.. but since I'm due in Feb if this PG goes well, id vote for Fall 2011!!
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Post by momtopatience on Jun 12, 2010 17:15:54 GMT -5
I feel it is a wonderful idea, and if I am able would love to go
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Post by Maria! on Jun 12, 2010 18:13:47 GMT -5
I would love to go if we could do the NE.
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Post by jaredsmommyforever on Jun 12, 2010 22:18:02 GMT -5
Can I entice anyone to come to sunny California???
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Post by Miss Sunflower on Jun 13, 2010 1:07:22 GMT -5
I'm sort of with Jared's Mommy about California! I'm kidding. I'll go wherever, but I would be up for 2011 to allow more time to save money and get things situated.
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Post by MamaDances on Jun 13, 2010 1:27:43 GMT -5
Fall 2011 I should theoretically be between schools, so that would probably work best for me. Like Tara I'm in Jersey, so Ne or south are both fine with me. I'd love to meet all you wonderful women irl!
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Post by lostandconfused on Jun 13, 2010 16:35:53 GMT -5
Yeah, unfortunately, being in Canada, this makes travelling to the NE or S of the states very $$$$$$$$$$$$. I don't know if I could afford to come. I couldn't afford to go to the last one either. It would be GREAT if we could have one sort of central, or somewhere where airfares are cheaper b/c of high tourist-type areas...
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