Dear Donny and team,
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I'm sitting here by the wood stove, feeling cozy in my SYMI hoody. I'm also feeling continued gratefulness for the October retreat and "rest." There is no other word for 2020 than horrific. Thank you for helping to make it tolerable. While I know there is no dollar value appropriate to cover all I have received, please accept this year end gift as a token of appreciation. Best wishes for growth in 2021.
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~Diane O.
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P.S. Enclosed is a poem I wrote.
Hope - a fly fishing pantoum
Written by: Diane O., NRP
8-18-2020
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Venn diagram of grief, ripples in still water
Where circles cross paths we feel the same
No matter who we are, we grieve, we mourn, we sob, we drown
But a precious few can cast their way out
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Where circles cross paths we feel the same
Arc of fly line whipping the air, tippet settling on river rapids
When a precious few can cast their way out
Delicate morsels of feather and barb tempt redemption
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Arc of fly line whipping the air, tippet settling on river rapids
Are we casting grief aside or reeling it in?
Delicate morsels of feather and barb tempt redemption
The essence of fishing is hope not fish
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Are we casting grief aside or reeling it in?
No matter who we are, we grieve, we mourn, we sob, we drown
The essence of fishing is hope not fish
Venn diagram of grief, ripples in still water
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Hello Tim,
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I participated with SYMI at the Shasta Retreat with an open mind and for a means to improve my life.I have to say, I finally felt at home with my peers after leaving them in 2014. It’s the best feeling I’ve had in a very long time. I thoroughly enjoyed the Shasta retreat and greatly appreciate everyone accommodating my abilities vs my disabilities. I plan to be at the April retreat. Please add me to your list of attendees.
Following the retreat, I contacted the Rosenburg Oregon VA to follow up with the yoga, tai chi, and mindfulness exercises.
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Thank you and your team for reaching out to me!
Doug Myers from Oregon