A Way to Arcachon

I loved my experience last year in Chamonix with Foreword Retreats so much, that I wanted to do it again. I immediately signed up for the writers’ retreat to Arcachon (a quaint seaside town southwest of Bordeaux). But life changed a few weeks later with Hurricanes Helene and Milton - among other issues - and I decided to cancel. I wrote to Christina Baker Kline and Paula McLain to personally tell them my decision. This is part of that communication:

Teaching in the inner city of Cleveland at age 22, I wanted to be Michelle Pfeiffer from Dangerous Minds. I lived and breathed the movie, aiming to be that spark in kids’ lives (who am I kidding - I wanted to be a bad-ass teacher!). When Ms. Johnson considers leaving the school at the film’s end, her colleague asks her what changed her mind. Her iconic line: “They gave me candy and called me the light.” Both of you, including Carol Johnson, have referenced my light, and I can’t help but smile and feel the same temptation to stay - to rewind my decision about Arcachon. Toss in some peanut M&Ms, and I just might do it.

A short time later, a colossal 62 oz. jar of Peanut M&Ms arrived at my door. They loved me and wanted me to go! Decision rewind. I found a way to Arcachon.

Now, I have returned from yet another transformative retreat. The landscape bled into my bones as I climbed the Dune du Pilat and the Observatoire Saint-Cecile; ate my very first oyster at a local French restaurant on Cap Ferret; and rode the carousel alongside the Bassin d’Arcachon. The writing exercises seeped into my soul as they led us through a journey of mind and body, excavating thoughts and ideas that were simply waiting for the sunlight. And the people, oh the people, they hopped into my heart and filled me with immense joy.

I am different again. I keep evolving as life leads me on this path and surrounds me with this world of writers. I am reminded that I am not only good enough, but I am also a warrior. (My annual visit of the France spiders can attest to that).

My appreciation for all of it - for everyone - stretches wide along the sand. Je suis reconnaissant pour cette vie.