Writers Retreat

April 19, 2009....

I am sitting at the edge of the Imnaha River. I drove six hours to get here, fighting my fear of traveling alone. Years ago I would not have been able to make this journey, but coming back in touch with my inner-strength has allowed me this freedom. I will spend the next week with five other women, all here to write. Each of us have stories inside and the peace of this place will give us the chance to let those stories emerge.

The gift of words is not one I take lightly. Like any of the gifts I have been given, I share it with respect and love, and much gratitude, with the hope that it will nourish the lives of those it touches.

Day One, Monday: Sitting in the sun, drinking my morning coffee, I look up at the top of the western ridge and see Janie, our retreat "den mom", who at seventy-five years old still climbs mountians! She is so full of life that she glows.

We spend the day writing....the constant song of the river seems to pull the words from my heart. The sun is warm for mid-April, and it warms me to the bone, I agree to fix dinner this evening and we eat outside on the deck, visiting until the chill of evening sends us indoors. Janie builds a campfire, which we enjoy with conversation and song. Julianna plays a few of her original tunes and even lets me play "Rosebud", her guitar, and sing a song. Eventually we go back into the cabin to end the night with each of us sharing some of our writings. What a treat. I am so blessed!

Day Two, Tuesday: I got up at first light and hiked to the top of the western canyon. Following the cattle trail diagonally up the side of the steep hillside, I saw a mule deer ahead of me on the narrow trail. Much more sure footed than I, he kept turning back to look at me. His expression seemed to say "do you really think you belong here?" And in that moment I was not so sure I did, but after the deer bounded away I continued to the top of the ridge. From that vantage point, looking down on the river and over the valley to the north, I suddenly felt a part of it all. I knew then that I did belong here, that somehow my life had been leading me to this place, in this time. I smiled at the synchronicity of it all.

Day three, Wednesday: Another day in this beautiful place,listening to the sound of the Imnaha river rushing by. Moving water has always been my ally, coaxing me to let my feelings spill out, helping me to find the words that need to be said. The song of the river is both soothing and stimulating. I wonder what words it will pull from my soul today. Melissa and I sat by the river after dinner and offered tobacco to the river Gods, enjoying a few minutes together. Then we all gathered in the cabin to share our writings, safe in the circle of these new found friends.

The rest of the week was much the same...peace, soul searching, writing during the day, then gathering in the evenings to share our words. We became a sisterhood. Each of us so different, but together we created a magical unity. It is obvious that we were meant to be here together.

What a beautiful gift this week has been!

Imnaha

There is something about this place
that gets inside of you-

Like the first kiss of a lover,

or the laughter of a child,
it settles in your heart.

People on the Imnaha

live their lives

like the changing seasons:

enduring the losses,

embracing the joys.

Heroes are born here

and when they die,

the valley mourns.

I came as a visitor

and immediately felt like

I was coming home.

The canyon walls were

open arms,

the rushing water sang a

"welcome" song.

Leaving will be difficult,

but I know I will walk away

with this river flowing in my veins.

-Rishell Graves