Last week I had yet another Silver Lined adventure orchestrated by the ever-amazing Indagare. Holy Moly. What an amazing company Indagare is! Their tag line is: “The next generation of travel wisdom.” Oh how that describes the company perfectly!
This annual (all women’s) trip is always a health, wellness and rejuvenation experience, which happens to be the most divine way to start a new year. This year, we went to Mii Amo Spa in Sedona, Arizona.
According to its website, “this Sedona spa honors guests on a journey of transformation and exploration, in a nurturing and authentic environment.” Before you say, “Oh yeah, right,” let me tell you that their description is an UNDERstatment?!? I had quite possibly the MOST transformative and powerful and magical four days of my life. Seriously.
There was a tree FULL of heart rocks!
This is actually the second time that I have been there. The first time was two years ago, when the HOTY, Sweetly Six and I traveled there together just after my diagnosis and right before my surgery. It was a powerful time for our family, to say the least. Two very significant things happened there on that trip:
- We told Sweetly Six (then 4 3/4) about my diagnosis (read about it here: http://www.thesilverpen.com/2010/11/07/brookside-bambinos-discussing-fbc/)
- I wrote my first-ever blog post there.
It felt strange to be back. But good. So very, very, very good. The first trip was all about getting my S**T together before treatment. To fuel. To energize. To strengthen. To center. I did all of that (and more).
This trip was all about transformation. Moving forward. Moving beyond. Releasing and integration. Big stuff. Major Silver Linings!
Over the next few days, I’ll share more. In the meantime, here are a few snapshots from the trip.
Well, helloooooo there!
This is the heart rock that I found. I said a meditative prayer and lovingly placed it on a rock formation overlooking the canyon.
What a place!I've just made a photo tour and it's amazing!…
Hope you've a fantastic time there.
Ti amo
Paula
Thanks so much, Paula! I hope that you get to go there one day. it's pure magic!
Just beautiful! I look forward to hearing more about it!
Kim
Thanks, Kim!
I have been twice to Sedona on daytrips, but not to Mii Amo Spa. Your all women's trip sounds delightful. My parents from Minnesota wintered in Mesa, Az. for many years. I used to love to make a winter trip to visit them for rejuvenation and to shorten my winters spent in Minneapolis and in Omaha. I always enjoyed the beauty of Sedona, the red rocks, the meandering Oak Creek. Thanks for posting the photos. The lucky heart you found is prescient and precious. Good things to come!
Thanks for your note, Carolee! You're so right about the heart. It's very special…as are those red rocks! All my best to you!
Dear Holley,
It's been a long while since I commented on your blog. I continue to follow you though on this captivating road of life. I know you'll remember that I too found my way to Mii Amo just a few short weeks after you had been there. I was in my middle throws of chemo-blicky-itis. I had such a deeply healing experience there. I didn't "know" you yet and discovered you through Jon and Nellie. I remember the story of your first trip. How it was the place to get your body/mind/spirit ready for the FBC experience, how you prepared Sweetly Six (not yet Finally Five), I remember how I thought you were such a heart connection to sisterhood within the culture of this disease. I needed you. Your wisdom, humor, grace, honesty, research, food suggestions, poetry, beautiful frills…Beautiful HUMAN SURVIVOR!
I returned to Mii Amo just prior the bi-lateral and then again that December. Three times in one year was my reward for working so darn hard at keeping my body going through the drudgery of treatments. I returned again in February last year for my 50th birthday celebration with my best girls. Then, just yesterday, I was rambling on a little 6 mile hike just one canyon north of Mii Amo. Happy in the sun, three weeks post reconstruction. Glad for strong legs, glad for strong heart, glad to see you taking such fine care of yourself. Blessing to you dear Holley. Thanks for your precious stories.
Dear Diane,
It's wonderful to hear from you again! Thank you for your note and for continuing to read the blog. It means so very much to me!
Of course I remember that you went to Mii Amo. How synchronous our timing is.
I'm thrilled, absolutely thrilled, that you have been able to go back with such wonderful frequency. It is one of the most healing places I've ever been. Ever.
Thank you again so much for reading and for writing.
All my best wishes for continued health!
Hollye
This is wonderful—good for you.
We love Sedona–we go every year.
When your daughter is a bit older she will love to swim in the big creeks.
Thanks so much, Danette. I completely agree about the big creeks. They are so gorgeous!