Hi Sharon,

So we fixed the problem you had with accepting my friending request! Try it out to see if it works. Thanks for waiting! Let me know if you have any new stories to tell me. I love reading about them. =)

Dear Sharon,

I read your comment on Barbara's story and was so moved by all that you have been through. I cannot imagine how I would face the death of a sibling and be able to put my world back together. Yet you seem so open and cheerful and appreciative of life. Where do you find the strength to deal with such a tragic event?

Sincerely,
Steven

Wow. Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. I loved your story, and found myself longing to go out and be at peace with nature, its serenity, and its complex simplicity. I was 15 when I went on that youth retreat to Lake Arrowhead. It was a Roman Catholic retreat, and was part of my confirmations. We had a similar layout as yours: set meals, prayers, and activities to help us...

Wow. Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. I loved your story, and found myself longing to go out and be at peace with nature, its serenity, and its complex simplicity. I was 15 when I went on that youth retreat to Lake Arrowhead. It was a Roman Catholic retreat, and was part of my confirmations. We had a similar layout as yours: set meals, prayers, and activities to help us connect to one another. It was very nice.

I know what you mean about the hustle and bustle. I live in Los Angeles, and it always feels like everything is moving very fast. Sometimes too fast, and then I wonder where the sun went.

Last year, two of my best friends (they are married to one another), moved out of Los Angeles because they grew tired of the city. When we were in college, we lived together for four years. They were not just my friends, they were my family.

The day of their departure for St. Louis, MI, I spent the whole day with them and helped them empty their apartment. I saw them off to their car, and the feeling was so surreal. It felt as if I was losing an arm or a leg- a piece of my heart.

It took about a month before what had happened hit me. I felt so alone and unhappy. My friend, Jenny, would email me and call me almost every day. We missed each other so much.

Finally, 1 year later, I decided to visit them. I don't have much money, so when I told them I wanted to see them, they were ecstatic. Then, this made me tear up, Jenny mailed me a check to pay for half of my ticket- just so she and John can see me. I couldn't cash the check. In fact, I kept it alongside a photo of her. The gesture meant so much more to me. I didn't expect it.

I stayed a week in Missouri, and the pace of life is so different there. People take the time to say 'hi' to one another on the street. People go for walks with their family, friends, and dogs. It was so peaceful, so calm, it was jarring for me. It was very hard to leave, but my work, my family, and my boyfriend are in California.

I plan to make it tradition to visit my best friends every year. I know I'll never find people like them again. They are priceless. Isn't it wonderful when you find kindred spirits?

Anyway, I've talked too much myself! I really loved your story. I think you should share it on the Share Stories page. There are a lot of people here who would be able to relate to your experiences, and if not, others can be inspired to try taking part in a retreat themselves!

Hi Sista42, welcome to SpiritClips! May I ask what you did at the women's weekend retreat that changed your life? I haven't been on a retreat since high school, when I was in a youth group at church. I do miss going out to the mountains to hike and meditate. Everyone should do it at least once!