Today is the last day of the Create in Me retreat. Unlike some years, I will participate in closing worship--hurrah! I don't have a long drive back to Florida--hurrah! I am still a Synod Appointed Minister, and unlike last year, I felt it was fine to be away this year--hurrah!
Unlike some years, I'm deeply aware that I want to believe that I will have the opportunity to be at closing services year after year--but life is much more tenuous so I should not miss out on this time. And more to the point, the same group of retreat friends can't always be there each year, so this year, I wanted to make sure to be there. It's a final worship service that moves me deeply, unlike the last day of Quilt Camp, which is a bit of sewing and then packing up (the closing worship is done the last evening).
This year's Create in Me has been wonderful. I've gone to yoga every morning, which makes me realize I should start each day with stretching. I also went for a walk with the yoga teacher on Thursday just before the retreat began and yesterday.
I have done a variety of creative activities: sewing, painting, creating shadowboxes, making windchimes, writing, predominantly. I've loved having a variety of activities and more supplies than I could use in a lifetime. I love being with others who are creating. I have loved being away from the TV and the news.
But the main focus of the last few days has been the opportunity to be with old friends and new, to catch up, to talk deeply. I remember a time when this retreat was one of the few times in a year when I was with people who could talk about the intersections of faith and creativity. Happily, now I have these discussions much more frequently. But I still enjoy having these conversations, and these people are some of my favorite ones with which to do just that.
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