About our First Grief Retreat of the Year

MENDING by @atenadelight
“If you are feeling worn thin and riddled with holes, I hope you will take comfort in the fact that much can be mended.
Mending comes in many forms and be aware: mending won’t make a thing new. You will be the same as what makes you. Yourself patched up: pulled together and swiftly sewn. If you’ve got time for darning, it is work, work, work: tedious as meditation and sometimes as rewarding— just do what you have time for.
My fabric has a lot of holes; I’m grateful for. the stars I can see through them, the sunlight warming my blood. I mend some, I leave some mend some, leave some, patching in remnants of steel wire and my own voice: “You deserve.” “It will be okay.” “Keep going keep going keep going keep sewing.” Truth holds together, and I wear the truth I’ve told.
When places in life tear and wear thin, examine the frayed edges and threadbare patches. And if they tear, appreciate the light coming in as you learn how best to mend.” 

This past Sunday we held a Grief Retreat with a focus on mending and weaving with local author Atena O. Danner’s poem as a point of reflection. Everyone got to work with their hands, weaving with dogwood saplings and on small homemade looms with hand spun yarn brought all the way from New Zealand by one of the attendees, Mo.

People mended their clothes and ate tasty food made with care. Another attendee, Diana asked the group: “What is rest?” We also had some excellent conversations on the topic. Thank you to everyone who came out, you all made the day really thoughtful and wonderful.

Our next retreat is on June 22nd, we hope to see you there.