From Retreat to Reality

Today the first Joyful Journey Retreat comes to an end. Back to Reality.

Nineteen of the best women you could hope to know have enjoyed 5 blissful days of creativity, friendship, learning and happiness. There was lots of laughter and a few tears.

Not once was the TV turned on. We got enough information from social media, news apps and calls home. The world seemed to go crazy while we enjoyed the quilters’ life. Pure happiness.

We volunteered to stay put until the food ran out, social distancing at its’ best, but, alas, they said we had to leave so they can prepare for the next lucky group to arrive in a few days.

While most of us are “women of a certain age”, we welcomed a young woman, Mazie:

 I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to share the passion for quilting with a young woman who “gets it”. She has found her tribe. None of us is going to live forever so we need to encourage, welcome, and teach those who can come after us.

My rock in all of this is Kathy Root, my friend and the Admin, who handled the paperwork and arrangements, made gifts, assigned all rooms and sewing stations, helped pack 20 huge goodie bags, and so much more. She had great ideas that made it even better than I could have done alone. Thanks for listening when I said, two years ago, “I have an idea”:

There was so much sharing and caring among this group. No one knew everyone here. One woman only knew me and trusted our relationship enough to drive almost 4 hours to join us. Thank you, Margo:

Planning for the next one is in process. Come back Wednesday for more photos and information.

Let’s quilt.

Barbara