The retreat weekend was truly a gift. Not only did I get to meet some wonderful women, but we got to experience the beauty of the Kalamazoo River by canoe, and really reconnect with nature. Karen provided such a relaxing atmosphere, delicious (OK, gourmet) meals, and a beautiful setting, I was finally able to disconnect from my city-life stress and remember to look up, look around, open my ears – there’s so much beauty going on around me, I just need to be aware to grasp each moment, each gift from nature, and cherish its beauty.