I just finished my afternoon cup of tea. When I was a little girl, my grandma (a British war bride) watched me nearly every day and together we would enjoy a daily tea time. Through all of those formative years, this woman taught me so much. Still now, at 89 years old, she teaches me so much. My grandma had six children (5 boys and 1 girl). She lived through a very dysfunctional, abusive relationship and had no where to go as her family was across the ocean. She had no car, no drivers license, no money and no way out. They lived in a tiny house and in that place, she raised these six children and taught them love.
The past 5 years of my own life have been wrought with hardship. But out of that pain came a vision. A vision to create a space for women to come with their heavy burdens and find support, clarity, community, empowerment, love and grace. These were all things I desperately needed and could not find during my darkest days. All of what we offer on our Holistic Health Retreats are aspects that would have made all the difference for my grandma, had she had an opportunity for something like this.
We just finished leading our second retreat. At each of these retreats, we leave daisies in random places as they are my grandma's favorite flower. She is a part of this retreat. Her wisdom, her tenacity and strength, her ability to hear the voice of God...it is all interwoven into the very fabric of what we offer and how we offer it.
Numerous times during both retreats, I just sat back and listened...as community and connection were formed. As strength was found and grabbed hold of. As clarity rose to the top and the swirling confusion began to subside. As women who are nothing alike, found similarities and made connections. As they were brave and authentic and tried new foods and new practices. As I watched gifted women live into their calling, using their gifts to serve others and to honor God. I leave these retreats so full. Full of life and hope. Humbled. Grateful.
The word "Daisy" comes from an old english word which refers to the fact that they open anew with each new dawn. Daisies are a tenacious little flower, beautiful. If you trample them down, they keep reaching up. The daisy symbolizes purity, innocence, loyal love and beauty. In the very center of the flower we can see what appears to be the sun. That is how it is with my grandma. At her center, is the Son. As a team, we feel humbled by the invitation to be involved in this kind of work. The brave women who show up at these retreats are tenacious. These women keep reaching, keep growing. They don't give in or give up. They try again with each new day. The fight for love. Just like a daisy...just like my gram.
To see pictures or to register for a three day retreat: http://khcounseling.com/retreats/
To register for a one day Space to Breathe Retreat: http://khcounseling.com/day-retreat/