Liz's Letters

Need to pack Need to pack Then why am I sitting here on the computer reading blogs? And now typing a post...for no real reason? I need to pack! This upcoming weekend is one of my favorite weekends - ever! It is the annual Heart to Heart retreat in the Ozarks of Missouri! In the past, I have traveled to Tulsa via airplane and then by car with my mom. I will miss doing that this year, but I am taking 3 very special friends with me this year! I cannot even imagine the fun we will have on the road trip there and back! We range in age from early 20's to 50's, we know each other well, and care about each other bunches, which makes the weekend even more inviting! Then, when we get there, we will be with crowds of other women, all from different walks of life - but with one common bond - understanding, peace and love of the 12 step program and serenity. Already, in my mind, I can hear the laughter. I can smell the musky dorm rooms where we will sleep, and the aroma of the food ...

So, wow. I spent the weekend in the Ozark mountains. The weather was cool, even a little rainy for part of Saturday. This was very refreshing for a Texan who has been suffering in desert type conditions for most of the summer. I loved the way the rain seemed to wash away all my grime, all my worry, and all my sadness. The topic for the retreat was Unity. I wondered how united I would feel. I always feel unity with my mom, who I was with. After all, I am blood of her blood and flesh of her flesh. We share a lot besides our biological unity as well. We share recovery, which was the unity of this retreat. We share love of many of the same concerns and people and although we are very different in many ways, our hearts have the same desire for good and peace and love in the world. That has always united us. But, I was not with "my" friends, I was with hers. There are many advantages to that. Sometimes, I feel like I have many "mothers", and I like it. I feel...

It is that time again and I am counting down the hours. The annual Heart to Heart retreat is this weekend. My heart and soul longs for the opportunity to retreat with God, to experience peace and quiet and the chance to listen to what He has to say, without interruption and with intention. It has been a tough year. Serenity and the peace of God is my focus and my goal. Instead of dreams of hurt and rejection, I long for dreams of love and joy. Instead of waking with the pang of regret, I yearn for excitement for the future. I know that He can give me these things, and even though every day is a little easier, it is still a challenge, a conscious effort. I am hoping that this weekend will allow me the next level of healing and the courage that I need to change what I can and accept what I can't. I can't wait to get my "word". I can't wait to see friends. I can't wait to spend time with my mom. I can't wait to evaluate how far I have come in my rec...