This weekend some widowed individuals will be attending Camp Widow in Tampa, Florida. I wish the organizers and all the attendees an inspiring and comforting event. The last official weekend-long Camp Widow will take place in San Diego, CA in July. My experience there last year as a first-time camper and presenter was definitely a positive step forward in my widowed journey. I met people there with whom I remain in touch and in fact, one in particular and I have collaborated and have applied to co-present at that event.
It would be an honor to present once again before Soaring Spirits, International (SSI) transitions to one-day only regional events held throughout the year. The SSI organization has grown and must find more affordable and accessible events to help serve as many as possible in the widowed community across the nation.
The week ahead brings St. Patrick’s Day, tomorrow, and the First Day of Spring on Tuesday, two events that bring to mind shades of healing green. My late mother’s relatives descended from Co. Clare and my late husband, Rich, had family originally from Co. Cork. St. Pat’s Day up North is a big deal with endless rounds of green-tinted beer and cornbeef and cabbage. I will try to find my fix down here in Central Florida.
Currently, I’m enjoying my first springtime here in Florida. You might think Florida has no seasons, but it does, especially in the northern regions. Although there is a lot of green going on year-round, springtime here makes everything more lush and colorful. And of course we experience summer-like temps that we don’t have up north until mid-june.
Earlier today a young filmaker and her colleagues were out here to scope out this property for a short film that will be shot on-site this week. When I moved here I’d registered this property with the Florida Film Commission. My home and property will receive its first film credit! This is a learning curve for sure, and another turn on a perpetually winding road. Keeps life interesting.
Later today, I’ve hired a dog trainer to come in and work with my pack as the addition of a spirited pup calls for some new direction and pup parenting tips. I’m sure she will earn her fee with this crew!
On a writing note, I’m honored that I’ve been asked to interview this year’s Hall of Fame/Hall of Distinction winner (soon to be revealed) by the Dog Writers Association of America. Also on that topic, I congratulate DWAA member Doroth Wills-Raftery for winning the Captain Wm. Lewis Judy Award with her article March 13 is K9 Veterans Day: Honoring Our Military Working Dogs sponsored by American Legion Post # 348 of Brick Township, NJ, where my late husband Rich was very active, and Rise VanFleet PhD. for entering Animals are So Easily Misunderstood…The Importance of Empathic Understanding which received the Manette Begin-Loudon Special Award that I sponsor each year for those who write or produce media bringing attention to the treatment (and often mistreatment) of dogs categorized to be a “bully” breed.
All of this keeps my mind positively occupied which is the way I process grief. I look to my writing and creative pursuits to help channel and quiet my mind and try to find a new path forward with each day. I caught the end of fellow-blogger Kelly Lynne’s Keynote address for Camp Widow Tampa this morning. I loved the humor and positivity contained therein and the reminder that we always have choices in our post widowed journey. I especially liked her closing line to her widowed audience, “I love you and I wish I never met you,” or something along those lines. No one truly ever expects themselves to end up at an event like Camp Widow, surrounded by those in the same boat so to speak, but it’s reassuring that there are organizations like SSI that can offer support and encouragement if you do.
Happy Spring and may the Luck of the Irish be upon us all. Thanks for reading, it makes it all worthwhile.
