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THE CLACKAMAS
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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.