Friday, March 23, 2007

Da Count-The Sisterhood

I'm going away this weekend on a women's retreat. I'm looking forward to it, which in a way is odd for me. I haven't always been the type of gal of who really digs hanging out with a big group of other women (To be quite honest, a lot of women just get on my nerves. I absolutely cannot cope with soul stirring conversations on lip gloss and wallpaper or extended man-bashing rants and the latest tidbits of juicy gossip. Can we have some substance please?). It took me a while to decide that it was ok. I've been going to this thing for about 12 years. I used to go just because I needed to get away. It could have been to the Seventeenth Symposium on Seaweed for all I cared at that point. It was a change of pace where no one was grabbing at me with a list of demands to be filled. Someone made my bed for me, cleaned my bathroom, cooked my meals, and cleaned up. I've got a vivid enough imagination to entertain myself through boring speakers in exchange for having no real responsibility for a couple of days. Plus there was enough free time and some great hiking trails, a climbing wall, and this wild thing called a power swing where they hoist you up and cut you loose. For a kid who used to dream of pumping high enough on the swings at recess to flip all the way around the top, the power swing is VERY cool.

Somewhere along the line I started to actually look forward to this weekend for more than just getting away from it all. I started to enjoy some of the women (although some of them I still cut a wide circle around). I got to know some of them better and found one or two kindred spirits. Some of them have gone and some are still there. Because some of the absences are notable this year I almost chose not to go but I'm heading out after all and looking forward to it. The speaker this year is a woman with some real depth. I also know I will see some other women find their voices and some strength they didn't know they had. Some will share some things they've held inside and find support they never knew they had. There will be a sisterhood celebrated with laughter and tears, serious meditation and incredible silliness. This week, I'm counting that.

25 comments:

Mona said...

enjot girl, You really need this if you think it is what you need. & I tell you, a personal proximity is any day better...you can feel the aura and the real vibes.Have a roaring time...Love :)

Doo Dah said...

I wish I could go **sob** Sounds perfect......have a wonderful time Michelle.

robkroese said...

I saw "women's retreat" and couldn't make myself read the rest. Sorry. Maybe have a pic of some chicks in bikinis next time.

Anyway, come play in my caption contest!

lecram sinun said...

I go to the SF Fringe every year for similar reasons. Mainly to get out of dodge for a bit and perhaps get creatively renewed. These things we do for ourselves... count a lot. (If only those of us around us knew how lucky they are that we indulge ourselves once in a while. lol)
Cheers!

airplanejayne said...

enjoy!!!

Melodie Norman Haas said...

I hope you have a great time :) See ya when you get back!

cathy said...

Know what you mean about meaningless conversation, chicken coop chatter is what I call it.
Have a great time.

S said...

Waitamint! Did yuo say POWER SWING?
Lord have mercy child, be careful!

Enjoy...

Phaedrous said...

Have a good time, Lime. You deserve it.

P.

Molly said...

I have a retreat coming up in May and I must admit...I'm scared!

Never been to one. I'm not the type to carry on about lipgloss or emotions either.

I am looking forward to getting the hell out of town for a few days though, so who knows in 12 years I might be a retreat loving gal like you.

have fun.

javajazz said...

sounds real cool, Lime...i dig what you're saying about the lipgloss designer spa discussions, but, well, you're going too, so maybe some other kindred spirits will just magically appear to help flesh out the matters of the mind...when i was a kid, around 17 or 18, i used to go to these interesting group therapy things at this organic veggie farm, and we'd scream and make neat salads and do a bit of farming and stuff, and it was neat cuz everyone else was like 30 to 50 years old, and i wasnt, but once we got down to it, age kind of slid off of us, along with all our other disguises...i must say it took me a good few years to not be so snarky and sarcastic about the peace love and groovy group members...thankfully i'm not as jaded in my Golden years...
enjoy your special weekend!

Logophile said...

There is a safety belt in this power swing, right?
Right???
Don't let the lipgloss get you down.

Anonymous said...

I hope you have a wonderful time!

G-Man said...

Bye Michelle!
Have a good time...
I'll miss my buddy a lot!
Love Ya...Galen xox

Gary said...

I try to like everyone and I think I succeed, but as you say, there are some people that I try to cut a large circle around. I like them better when they are at a distance. Enjoy your weekend.

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...

Have a great time! I hope the space left by those absent will be filled by new faces.

I think I'd have to pass on the power swing but a nice hike would be sooo nice.

Anonymous said...

Very cool. I have you are having a great time -- resting, relaxing, refreshing, getting reenergized.

I am glad you give yourself this, this time to get away from being a mommy, a wife, an "upstanding citizen", a time to just be you.

Anonymous said...

Wait a minute... I am having deja vu. I remember when you went last year. Cool!

Have a wonderful weekend and DON'T break your arm on the power swing... HOLD ON this time. ;-)

The Teacup Cottage said...

I hope it inspires you. Big or small, inspirations can make the world look better. Can't wait to hear about it.

The Zombieslayer said...

I absolutely cannot cope with soul stirring conversations on lip gloss and wallpaper or extended man-bashing rants and the latest tidbits of juicy gossip.

That's when I say "I think my Mom's calling. Got to go."

Have a good time at the retreat. :)

Cosima said...

Know what you mean by wanting to get away for a little me time... have a lot of fun!

KFarmer said...

Typically- (other) women + me = disaster. But if there was a lady, such as yourself there, I would have to pack the duffle bag and go (have a great time). Hope you did too.

RennyBA said...

I'm sure with your kindred spirit, you'll have a wonderful time. You really deserve a retreat like this - wish I could be a fly on the wall (maybe only a Norwegian expression?)

Jacob said...

Women's retreat. That's all I saw. That's all I needed to see. I am with Diesel.

We will fill in the rest with our overactive imaginations! lol

Unknown said...

A women's retreat! I hope you had fun. I've never been on a women's retreat myself, mostly because I stand up when I pee. But I've heard they're nice.