1. susan:

Will leave the details to the storytellers among us... All I can say, this weekend is one of the *best* I have ever had... Our friends are wonderfully warm and genuine women. I am honored to call them my friends...

8. Cindy:

I guess I'm the first one to come back to earth. I think Kate, Pat and I just floated down I-70, giggles and tears. Absolutely scrumptious weekend! And that's not even referring to the food we were served.

4. Kate:

It is wonderful to be home again with my family, but I feel a certain emptiness that words can not express. It's funny that our relationship is based on the ability to communicate in written word, yet there are no words to describe the weekend I've just experienced. I smile and tell my family of the wwwonderful wwwomen I've met but am unable to do any of you the justice you deserve. I do want to share that as we left Pat at the airport hotel, she waved at us out the window...then turned around and bowed. It was almost an *elastic* moment.

6. Pat:

I am almost nervous and hesitant to post here right now. To write means it is over, and I want the magic of the weekend to last as long as possible. Sounds crazy, but I think the other seven can relate.

There are not words available to describe what happened. I have not read anything anyone else has had to say about the Tribal Gathering. I'm sure they were quite capable of describing things, but for once in my life, I am at a loss for words.

OK, OK, you can stop laughing now. I will try.

I am in my room surrounded by all of my "souvenirs" from the last three days. I am wearing my t-shirt. I have even opened a bottle of champagne and poured it in the Augusta Winery glass. (No rebukes because it is only 11:20 AM, dammit. These things know no time.) There has already been a toast to all of you, those who were present in the flesh and those present in the spirit.

I can't seem to stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. Glad there are no psychiatric health care professionals near, or I would be sent for a psych work up pronto. They just wouldn't understand.

All I can tell you, is that beginning at 9:30 Friday morning, I began meeting a spectacular group of women and felt as though they had been a part of my life since the beginning.

It would be like trying to describe a glorious sunset to someone who is blind, or trying to convey the beauty of a symphony to one who cannot hear. It simply cannot be done.

We came together as a whole group for approximately 40 hours. In that short time, we laughed uncontrollably, we cried unashamedly, and we shared magic. You are right, sister-girl. Where there is woman, and especially these women, there is magic. Not wanting to disappoint any of you, we ate heartily (much of it from the chocolate food group) and we drank moderately. Most of what we did was to drink in each others presence.

I cannot speak for the others, but I came away feeling as though I had lived in a movie or beautiful painting for that few hours.

We were and are dynamic, loving, sharing, caring, feeling, and alive. We are strong yet gentle. We are confident yet questioning. We cry tears through laughter and pain. We rejoice and cry for each other and for ourselves. We will never be the same, for we were enriched by this experience. This was one of the most spectacular events of my life. I give thanks for the three day journey, and send love to all who shared those days.

I predict that this was only the first of such Tribal Gatherings. You must trust me...make whatever arrangements are necessary to be a part of this life affirming experience next time.

Thanks, Grannie. "I'm glad I did, not I wish I had."

7. Sadie:

It was one of the most important experiences of my life so far. I had not realized exactly how much I have missed the company of women. Sometimes I had to be quiet and just breath them all in, or move to the periphery of the group and let a few tears re-absorb. The level of sharing (a word I generally avoid as I think it's overused) is somewhere between ya-ya and blood sisterhood. There were times when one of us left a sentence in mid word and knew for a fact all the others understood her.

As varied as this group is, it is still cohesive in intent - the spreading of experience and strength and wisdom, seasoned liberally with laughter and love. (I think I pulled something during Becky's story of the nervous religious birthday girl.)

Too cool. Just way, way too cool. And this is only the beginning.

2. Becky:

Could never of said it so well, I will remember this past weekend for the rest of my life I am sure. I have a sore throat from laughing so much dammit!! Love all of you!!

3. Jan:

I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. I agree that to speak it is like an ending. It can never be over for me. You are all so very special in varied ways.

We could just look at each other and laugh, but even in that laughter there was a tear or two because we knew it was going to be such a short time together. I have been changed by the power of these beautiful women - a definite change for the better. I will forever know that there is someone somewhere who will listen if I call just to say, "Hi!", or to cry on a shoulder.

Sadie is so right. Pat would start a sentence and Sadie would finish. Harriet would start to say something and get a little teary and someone else would finish her thought.

I agree with Pat that there are no words to descibe my feelings about this weekend. However, I do know that I will hold it forever in my heart. When I need strength to get me through a bad situation, I will remember this weekend and the tribal rally and know that with friends like this behind me I can survive any trial, no matter how big!

I truly love you all!

susan:

Thank you Pat.

Most of us are at such a loss for words...You have done the telling of the event justice.

I will share one more thing. My oldest was asking me if I felt like I did not want to come back to my life...I told her that I wanted to return, because I like my life and I have this moment with you and the others forever...I am changed, strengthened. The gathering was a validation of the women we are. You are, and have always been my friends. I have not taken many friends through out my life. I feel as if I was waiting for this...

I want to thank Kathleen, Liz, and Sue for conceiving this site. They were the first wwwomen, have no doubt they are part of the spirit that flows here.

It will never end...time spent together is and will always be too short. We have the knowledge...and it is so freeing...