Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (May 8, 1991)
Page 2 THE CLACKAMAS PRINT FEATURE May 8,1991 Women laugh, cry, share at annual weekend retreat by Heidi A. Hoffman soul*,” sang all* of the women in Feature Editor unison. This weekend I experienced • I felt so comfortable, like ev something wonderful. For several eryone there, whether I knew them women this weekend was the or not, was instantly a friend, a beginning of a new life. It was the sister. third annual “Focus on Women” For me, this trip was some weekend retreat.. thing extra special. I have a sister The weather, was great and that I haven’t seen for several years that oiily added to the already and on this trip, I met some of her overflowing energy of the 100 of friends. I may even get to see her women who joined together in soon. song, dance and friendship. This weekend wasa weekend The retreat began at 530 p.m. of miracles, celebration and pleas on May 3 and continued through ure. I have never felt so good about May 5. • myself and the world around* me. This weekend wasn’t just an Other women felt the same experience. It was a feeling. way. “Wow, just feel the energy in “It was. great to be around this room,” commented Leslie other women going through the - Woods, one of the musicians who process of. becoming instead of led songs at the opening event just ’being,”’ said Pat Fontaine, Friday night. * information specialist. This was a reallygood chance I think that everyone came for women to focus on their life away from this trip with some without the outside pressures of thing different. children, bills, school or any other The coordinators of the trip stressful things that are experi Linda Vogt, Ellen Burbridge and enced every day.’ It made me feel, as it did many The song circle was a great experience. Even if you didn’t know the words you could just hum Rene Rathbum organized several activities. There were several work- others,like I can do anything that along. The music was part of the joy. shops ranging from learning to I want to. The women’s weekend daughter and grandmother com . One of the most memorable give a massage, to working on your ■ . ing me celebrate the woman that 1 showed methat I can “be my own bination.* am. I had temporarily misplaced experiences of the weekend was relationships. There were danc • This weekend I learned that hero.” ‘me,’’’commented Nancy New the gift of song. There were sev ing classes available, song circles The theme of the weekend it’salrightto havea shapeand size comb, a participant. eral song circles and concerts. At and even hiking and a rafting trip. that is different from everyone else. was “Celebration,” and the feel?, For some this retreat was the any given timeyou could just start And every woman had the oppor That is what makes me, me. I know ing was truly of celebration. first time that they have ever shared singing and everyone else would tunity to receive a massage done j The women who came to the that I can do almost anything that a weekend with women only, and join in; I set my mind to and I know that I by a professional masseuse. For célébration were from all differ - for others they had gone all three “How could anyone ever tell some it was their first time. ent backgrounds, different cultures can do it by myself or with the help years. No matter how many times you, you were anything less than .. “I feel really relaxed,” com and even different states. They all, of others^ I know that every Choice they’d gone, there is still a new beautiful? How could anyone ever mented one of the women. that I have in life is mine to make I however, shared one common feeling every time.* ’ tell you, you were less than whole?. I have never gone on a trip characteristic . . . they were all no matter what anyone else says. “I have been all three years How could anyone fail to notice that I never wanted to leave... In other words, this weekend 1 women. and this, to me, is a celebration of that your loving is a miracle? How until now. There were sisters, mothers discovered “me.”, deeply you’re connected to my living,” said Karianne Kenyon. “ Thanks to everyone for help and daughters, and even a mother, *7 was very moved by some women willing to share , trust and feel safe to share their life history and emotions.1' The theme of celebration really showed up often. Especially when the celebration fairy kept mentioning all the different holi days around the world. "¡-appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the woman energy this weekend. I felt welcomed, accepted and loved." The weekend allowed you to do what you wanted without being criticized. Janet Little helped celebrate with some decoration. -Cherl Snell "It's wonderful to have the diversity of ages and experiences and the shared warmth. And the freedom to do as much or as little as one desires." Hugs were a big part of this weekend. Everyone shared a lot of emotions. Photos by Heidi A. Hoffman On Sunday there was a closing ceremony . For some It was difficult to hold back the tears. The coordinators led the group in song. From left are: Kathleen Fallon of Motherlode and Coordinators Ellen Burbridge, Linda Vogt and Rene Rathburn.
