I recently attended a women’s cancer retreat – Camp Mak-A-Dream in Montana. They offered so many programs – yoga, writing workshops, art projects, archery, a climbing wall, zip-line and hiking. I partook in pretty much everything while also enjoying the company of my cabin mates chatting in the evenings and with others in the humongous hot tub.
One of the most memorable events was our hike to the Butte early one morning. Of course, my zip lining and wall climbing experiences were monumental achievements for me, beings afraid of heights. I loved how all the ladies cheered me on as I fearfully took the plunge off the edge.
But, back to the Butte. We gathered in the morning and one of the young women (GB) had a backpack with stuffed animals and buttons, so I inquired about them. These were items of her mothers, who had recently passed away. She also had a small necklace that held some of her mother’s ashes she was going to scatter at the top of the Butte.
We started out hiking up the trail, some easy spots and more challenging areas toward the top. Stopping, of course to admire the wildflowers along the way. But we could see a storm heading right for us very, very quickly! As we got to the top we were pummeled with snow, ice pellets and wind. It was not quite what we were expecting! But we all made it to the top!! Quite a feat! On our way down we had to walk side-ways so the ice pellets didn’t hit our faces. We then gathered by the fireplace prior to eating breakfast. Whew, what a morning!
That evening at dinner I remembered GB wanting to spread her mom’s ashes, so I asked if she was able to accomplish that in light of the snow storm. Yes, she did release her ashes, but lost one of her mom’s favorite buttons on the hike and was heartbroken. She planned to go back up and search for it the next day.
I returned to my table and mentioned the situation. Jeanette, another brave hiker and cabin mate, then pulled the button out of her pocket! She had picked it up thinking it was left there from a previous camp. She proceeded to give the lost button to GB with hugs and tears flowing. Immediately after this exchange a beautiful rainbow appeared. To me, it was her mom smiling down on her. It still gives me chills to think how everything worked out. And how the rainbow signified the shift in the story of loss to one of hope, love and connection.
Sometimes, we need to be curious, ask questions, listen and allow ourselves to be instruments in other’s lives. I am so glad I did…
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