Roommates -- Completely Irresponsible!

I need to room with someone boring.

Since I did not get much sleep the night before the retreat, I planned to go to bed early.

I did not plan on spending all night talking with my roommate (MT, from my support group).

One thing led to another, and the conversation just kept flowing....

When we dared to look at the clock, it was 2:25 in the morning.  We agreed that we really should go to sleep.  Then, we talked for another 20 minutes, or so.

The next night, the program ended late and we were determined to go to sleep.

But, like teenage girls, we could not stop talking.

Before we knew it, we had talked well into the night.

When we finally turned out the lights....

4:05 am.



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

Beit Natan Winter Retreat 2009

I came home from the retreat physically and emotionally exhausted!

I was away for almost three full days and there was so much I wanted to do when I got home. Instead, I went straight to bed! I spent a few minutes with my daughter, then with my son. I fell asleep in the middle of my son's entertaining description of his drama class (he and a few of his friends made a comic skit was about the yetzer hotov and the yetzer harah [our good and evil inclinations]). His description was very amusing, but I could not keep my eyes open!!

I had a wonderful time at the retreat. Many women were there last year as well (I even remembered several of them!).

It felt like coming home.

Last year, I had to be convinced to attend. This year, I could not wait!

It was so wonderful to be in the company of such a special group of women. And it was an emotional relief to be able to talk completely freely of all things related to cancer.

Though I was still a bit reserved about the fact that I have metastasis, it was helpful to recognize so many faces from my support groups and to know that I was not the only one. By the end of the retreat, I had met several other women who are also on the long-term plan. One woman with mets was only 34!! (she was 29 when she was first dianosed with cancer, and received her second diagnosis only a month after she finished treatment)

The time just flew by!

It seemed as if we just arrived and already it was time to pack up and leave.

I look forward to next year!



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

Beit Natan Winter Retreat -- Part II: Laughter is the Best Medicine

During the second day, there were four workshops that were offered twice. So we could choose two workshops. I chose the laughter workshop and a workshop led by a social worker who will be leading a group for women with metastesis. I decided to do the "serious" workshop first, so that I could finish with my crying in the morning. It was a good decision.

A few months ago, I attended a laughter workshop ("yoga tz'chok") for mothers and daughters, that was sponsored by my daughter's junior high school. Most of the young teens there (all 7th and 8th grade girls), were too self-conscious to participate. Many of the moms were too. But I had a good time, and laughed with the other moms who participated (and didn't care how silly we all looked).

From that experience, I knew that the laughter workshop would involve us doing/saying strange and funny things. I was more receptive this time, because I knew what to expect.

On my way into the afternoon laughter workshop, a friend, who had participated in the morning workshop, advised me not to look at anyone and to "just laugh." That was good advice.

I went in to the workshop with a very open mind, a willingness to be very silly, and a readiness to laugh. I focussed on the faciliator, Yehudit Kotler, (who was great) and followed all her silly instructions. And I laughed.

One of the other women, L, laughed at everything. A real, deep, contageous laugh. Every time I hesitated, I looked at L and burst into laughter.

By the end of the workshop, I was laughing so hard, I couldn't stop. I didn't even know what was so funny, but I couldn't stop laughing, even after the workshop was over.

At dinner, everything struck me as funny. I laughed at everything.

The evening program was with Tzvi Cohen, a well known, Israeli radio personality. The program was to figure out all sorts of word games, which he had created. I love those types of brain games, but in Hebrew I am completely lost. I think I figured out two answers the entire evening. It didn't matter, I still had a great time! He was very entertaining! I sat next to L, and we laughed the whole time. It was fun!

So, laugh with me!! hahahahaha, heeheeheehee

:-)

"When God brings about the return to Zion...then our mouths will be filled with laughter..." (Tehillin (Psalms)126:1-2)


Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA