September 14, 2013
So, six months after Liz's mum lost her life to cancer, here we all were ready for our event. We had mixed emotions. There was plenty of excitement and laughter as always, but also some other feelings as we all faced two days of emotional and physical challenge. We carried in our hearts people we had lost or friends who had been bereaved and also the deep sisterhood and support within the group. Here's how it went down, and each of our final thoughts on the journey...
Vicky - The Tribe Builder:
I have always felt there is immense strength and empowerment to be found in sisterhood, in women working together to a common end, sharing experience, laughing and talking.
For me the highlights of our journey together have been the moments of true hilarity like the uncontrollable laughter the night we took the 'dress in white' pictures. Moments of sadness and support like the first planning meeting after Liz's mum passed away. Moments of endurance and encouragement like the row down the St Croix. To play some part in building a group of diverse women who all proved themselves > cancer and created forever memories feels very special.
Joan - The Optimist:
“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” - Hugh Downs
A little rain (or a lot), leaky tents, deflated mattresses, wet firewood, allergy attacks, pregnant bellies and high stone steps.....bah! Well, I for one had a wonderful time and I think we did a great thing; we supported friends when they were grieving and out of that sadness created (many) joyful events, and raised money for a worthwhile cause while doing so. I happen to think we are all pretty wunderbar, fabuloso, amazing!!
Angela - The Adventurer:
As the “adventurer”, the first thing I have to reflect on is
that I’m very sad that the journey is over!
All that has led us up to the big day have been such amazing stepping stones. The diverse personalities coming together, creative projects, smiles among the rain, a quick look into part of what has shaped each of us and of course the "strenuous" training have been a real blast and will be cherished forever! Along the way my journey had changed with my mother-in-law being diagnosed and passing away within our short time frame of the Wilderness Warriors Challenge. I was very thankful to be surrounded by such fine women sharing a hug, an ear, their story and of course a good glass of wine. We still continue to light the lantern in memory of my mother-in-law that was inspired by the amazing women of the Wilderness Warriors. Thank you for letting me share in ALL that is >cancer!
“I hope you dance…”
Bri - The Innovator:
What I had experienced during the Wilderness Warriors >Cancer weekend was much like everyone else's. Surprised by the rain and totally not prepared for it, canoeing backwards over the rapids, and revealing fun facts about myself that had nothing to do with cancer or healing. What I did realize is that it is hard to schedule healing. I believe healing can happen in a instant but comes from the only true healer, Jesus Christ. There was an unexpected connection that only comes from sitting under a pavilion after hours of rain, chilled to the bone, laughing and getting through the bad weather together. All of us women are greater than cancer, so there was not that much focus on the loved ones who were directly effected, that is still for another time, but we were celebrating and enjoying the life that we still have.
Britney - The Thinker:
Our hike turned out to be more challenging than I had imagined. Granted, I'm not a super outdoorsy girl, but I had camped, canoed and hiked before. But have you ever done that with 11 women in the pouring rain?! It's a lot harder, and includes a lot more stuff, than you’d probably imagine. But I'm glad it turned out that way. What struck me the most is how different we all are, and how everything in our lives has made us who we are today. And then how all of that brought us all to this point: being Wilderness Warriors together. Unfortunately, cancer has been a part of many of our lives, but even our encounters with cancer have played a role in making us who we are. And these differences led to those moments of laughter, moments of deep connection, moments of pushing each other further, and even moments of frustration. That’s what made it so beautiful: to watch 11 very different woman put aside differences, and find the things that unite us. So I am actually thankful for everything that has happened in each of our lives to bring us together for this. I'm thankful for the way each of these women has influenced me and changed me. I am honored to be a part of these women's lives, and to have joined forces with them to make a positive difference in our world. I’m proud of the way we’ve all become friends, and raised as much money as we did! Of course healing happens over a lifetime, and maybe the money we raised won't be the final solution to curing cancer, but this challenge definitely played a role in both of those things.
Candace - The Advocate:
The highlights of >cancer represented for me the opportunity to get to know this amazing group of women, to hear their hearts in one-on-one conversations along the way, to seize the chances I had to intersect on a heart level during special moments along the way, and make new connections. Being an "advocate", I see myself taking that into the future and looking out for the dear friends that I have here, cheering their victories, caring in their trials, and supporting where I can. I love the laughter, the desire that there is to support each other and enthusiasm for living that I associate with this group. I also really appreciate that Vicky pulls the group together and keeps traditions (can't wait for CFCL movie nights!) as the Tribe Builder that she is!
Kelsey - The Enforcer:
We spent so long preparing for the camping trip that it was almost a shock when it finally arrived! I think it was different than any of us expected, sometimes better, sometimes worse. I learned a few important things from the whole thing: 1. Even though I don't like camping, I am capable of doing it when I need to. I am woman, hear me roar! 2. I adore my friends. But then, I already knew that. 3. The most important one for me - as close as girlfriends are to each other and as much as we have each other's backs, only Jesus can truly heal a broken heart. Truth be told, we will always let each other down once in a while, but Jesus never fails, never leaves, and never neglects a wound in one of His kids. Good friends are just an extra-super bonus!
Emily - The Writer:
We all came together for our Wilderness Warriors hike for different reasons. Some to raise money for our cause, some for healing, some to support our friends. In the end our day of love and laughter was what it is all about. We set out to list and name all things greater than cancer and lived it out celebrating life, family and friendships. Amongst rain, wet and deflated beds, and soaked pants from the canoe ride we had a blast enjoying time with each other. The quote, "life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain" comes to mind. As a cancer survivor I would say that cancer sucks but remember the good times, dance, love and live because all of it is greater than cancer.
Kelsie - The Scientist:
It was such an honor to be a part of this amazing group of women that stood up in the face of cancer. I was amazed at the strength, diversity and passion that this group has and to have friends like these women is a true blessing. This blessing was no more brought to my attention than one day at work. As a server I am submerged into people's days and sometimes this brief encounter can last a lifetime. Shortly after the WW weekend I was waiting on a group of four women and when I asked what brought them into the restaurant they all talked at once stating that it as the last time that they hoped to ever be traveling through my town, for they only came this way on their way to the cities for one of their own's cancer treatments. She was easy to spot with the headscarf and pale skin and she said with a smile that today was her last "appointment"; at least the last appointment with IV's and cell killing drugs. Throughout the night I caught bits and pieces of these four women's story, including that one of them always drove their friend to her treatments (as her husband had to financially support the family still), kept her house clean, and did the family shopping and cooking. Through the last several months, these women formed a bond I can never imagine that held with it tears, joys, heartache, rejoice and now remission. But the thing that I took most from their story was that truly friendship is greater than cancer.
Kendra - The Learner:
I am a 'Learner' and that is exactly what took place with the Wilderness Warrior women. I learned so many things. I learned very quickly on that we are stronger than we/I sometimes think. Canoeing in rapids, switching positions and managing to stay upright in the canoe (Kels and Bri), camping in the pouring rain, starting a fire from barely anything (Bri!), just to name a few. Also, we were able to bring our gifts, talents and time together in unity and purpose. It just flowed so easily! Because we each had something unique and different! That is what makes this group of women have so much to offer each other and all the people in each of our lives. Life is beautiful ladies, and I am so grateful I got to be a part of this weekend.
Liz - The Canvas:
While our hike is done, my journey with the Wilderness Warriors is far from over. Though it’s been 8 months since my mom has passed, my healing has just barely begun; but my friendships and support from these amazing women has also begun. I look forward to our gatherings every time and know that they will always involve a near-pants-peeing-gut-laugh at least once. Each and every person in the group brings something different to contribute and I appreciate the things that I learn from that. It’s been quite surprising to me what a bumpy road it is to grieve a loss and how suddenly sadness can come over me from nowhere. I really miss my Mom! So how to sum up my experience through this journey? Well, I really can’t because this was just the start. But I am The Canvas, and I look forward to the process I know each of these women holds a paintbrush to.
Memories from the canoe trip, the evening remembering our >cancer, the morning cooking around the fire, and the hike...
We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies.
~ Emily Dickinson
Take a group of women of different ages, beliefs, nationalities, past histories and current circumstances. Challenge them, and you have a team; a group united towards a common goal; you have "The Wilderness Warriors".
This group of eleven women took the first step when they all said, "YES!" to the challenge, when it is so often our default position to say, "NO".
No because we are busy, no because its too far, too late, too early, too hot, too cold, we are too tired, there are so many reasons to say 'NO' and sometimes only one reason to say 'YES’… because it's the right thing to do!
Afterwards we all went back to our husbands, children and pets, to our very different lives, a little taller, a little wiser, a little stronger, a little richer. Safe in the knowledge that we are valued, that we are powerful, that we have succeeded and exceeded, that we rose and touched the skies.
-The Tribe Builder
-The Tribe Builder
“If there ever comes a time when the women of the world come together
purely and simply for the benefit of mankind,
it will be a force such as the world has never known.”
~ Matthew Arnold
