Sister-Friend Retreat 2019
We went to the desert.
Some seasons of your life are meant to offer you the clarity of your lifetime. They are meant to show you what you could do if you simply just did it. Last year brought me quite a bit of clarity wrapped in many unflattering boxes. However, it also brought me to.. Me. I sat myself in front of a mirror and had the conversation that led me to actively creating a space for women to be unapologetically themselves.
So I bet on myself and freaked out a bit and then cried in the shower (for like two minutes tops!) from all the anxiety building, then asked my friends if they wanted to come with me to Joshua Tree and they said yes.
The purpose of the weekend was to use the momentum that a new year brings us and pour that into ourselves and our professed endeavors without distractions and surrounded by people who were supportive of that and were there to do the same. The purpose was simple, sure, but it really did stand as a way for me to do exactly that. I planned everything out to the last teaspoon of peppercorn from Sprouts for the tuna confit that I was going to add to a sandwich for lunch on Saturday for the pescatarians in the group. Literally pored over the book I based the workshop off of, "Sisters of the Yam" bell hooks, for a few weeks. (I read it 3 times for notes and ideas). It was so rewarding to learn with the exclusive intent to share.
Then the day came to drive 3 hours northeast of sunny San Diego to a beautiful home with 180° views of the desert and mountain.
The next morning was all about starting anew. Over breakfast we restated our purpose for gathering and a frittata that I am very proud of (adding the recipe I wrote with original Erika style comments at the end of this because, you should all make it). The first part of the day was about people getting the work they had planned to accomplish over the weekend started as I prepared for lunch and the afternoon workshop.
The workshop flowed through the chapters of Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery by bell hooks which is an incredible book, and one that I feel should be and needs to be shared. The discussion flowed and we all learned so much about each other and were able to open up about ourselves in a comforting environment. I am forever grateful for everything that was shared that afternoon because self-recovery comes quicker when we share our stories and how we have and are healing.
The last planned thing for the night was dinner and reflecting on the weekend and the work that we did. It was a beautiful ending to the day that we had and just joyous. And even though I forgot sugar to make the homemade whipped cream, I used maple syrup instead. Also, the olive oil cake came out amazingly, thanks for asking. As we are multifaceted human beings, a calm evening with each other was not the end of the night. One of the women who came (She’s a doctor now!) brought her karaoke mic and we sang and played air guitar to accompany each performer for the rest of the night. It was glorious.
The playlist is below:
Satisfied - Hamilton
Money - Cardi B
You Are Everything - Dru Hill
Sugar, We're Goin Down - Fall Out Boy (I played air drums. Workout? Check)
Dangerously in Love Part II - Beyonce
No More (Baby I'ma Do Right) - 3LW
When we woke the next morning, it was time to just unwind and get ready for the journey back home. My heart was so full from spending time with these incredible human beings (and a Lenny).
Starting this new personal and professional journey with people who understand is what I will forever hold close to my heart.
Thank you.
E
