Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

Thank you for another ���great memorable experience���ĶI learned a lot and it was great to volunteer.

Rose P.

I arrived at the New Participant retreat and was welcomed with open arms. After introductions and hearing everyone���s story, I walked over to dinner asking myself ���Why am I here?���, as I considered my cancer ���minor��� to many of the other participants. I must admit I felt a bit out of sorts. I am so glad that I came, stayed and experienced the retreat. I found being with the other women so enlightening. Oh, what spirits they have ��� and strength. The experience of fishing, being surrounded by the river, was an indescribable peace ��� more than the expression ���one with nature��� could ever fill. I fell very much in love with the entire concept. I can���t wait to come again and help out any way possible.

- Nancy M.

I just wanted to send a quick hello and thanks for a wonderful day of fishing and camaraderie. It was a pleasure to be there with my mom. She had a tremendous experience at her New Participant retreat and is looking forward to volunteering.

- Jill R.

Each time I go I meet many other survivors ��� it is wonderful. All the guides did an outstanding job. This program and organization just rocks!

- John R.

I���m amazed at the generosity of the guides to provide us with such an opportunity ��� and continue to be amazed by the volunteers and whole organization. I���m glad I got to try a float trip but still love wading.

Thank you for all you work and care.

- Linda B.

Thank you, thank you. Thank you for the wonderful memories. It was a wonderful time and you made it that way. I’m delighted with the photos – so many and they’re great. I’m going to show them off to friends. Can’t wait to get my rod outfit! Fish On!

-Sharon S.

EIGHT HIGHLIGHTS of HEALING

- Healing is a lifelong journey toward wholeness.

- Healing is remembering what has been forgotten about connection, and unity and interdependence among all things living and nonliving.

- Healing is embracing what is most feared.

- Healing is opening what has been closed, softening what has hardened into obstruction.

- Healing is entering into the transcendent, timeless moment when one experiences the divine.

- Healing is creativity and passion and love.

- Healing is seeking and expressing self in its fullness, its light and shadow, its male and female.

- Healing is learning to trust life.

From The Four-Fold Ways

A woman in harmony

with her spirit

is like a river flowing.

She goes where she will

without pretense and arrives

at her destination,

prepared to be herself

and only herself.

You know who you are,

where you have come from

and where you are going.

You show such grace

and assurance and

I am glad to know you.

-Maya Angelou

In the presence of women – I feel at home, comfortable,relaxed

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In the presence of women – I see foreheads soften, smiles widen, eyes glisten, hearts soar and souls touch

___________

In the presence of women – words of wisdom tumble, laughter is unleashed, creativity exudes

___________

In the presence of women – I can smell muffins baking, coffee brewing and sweet perfume

___________

In the presence of women – wrinkles are beautiful, soft tummies acceptable, laughlines delightful

__________

In the presence of women – breezes are gentler, colors are brighter, friendship is magical, flowers dance and the sun shines

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So sit often, in the presence of women

____________

-Tess Marshall

And this Queen did wear them when she fished in her waders and waxed Barbour coat.