Some people don't like Facebook. I happen to love it and use it in ways that enhances my life and my connection with others. As I plan the next construction project, prepare for Ripple's grand opening and create an event schedule for the spring, here's what showed up in my feed today to remind me where I was the day after I closed on the property. The post gave me goosebumps ... just like the real life experiences did.  For me, that's validation that I'm on the right path and I am certainly not alone.

"In life my Mom cautioned me about taking on such a big responsibility. Clearly she was worried about me taking on such a big responsibility at this stage in my life and without a man to support me. Yes, she was a bit old fashioned ... and perhaps a bit afraid for me. I have to admit that sometimes her fear projected onto me made me even more determined to succeed. So funny to observe what motivates us.
 
When she was sick and was making her decision to leave this world, she and I spent a lot of time together. She asked me lots of questions about my work, about my dreams, about why I wanted to buy this property, why I wanted to turn it into a retreat center.  Why I wanted to take on such a large project at this stage in my life. After all, she said, I could still go back to my old career, get a 9-5 job with benefits and a retirement plan and spend my time finding a life partner who could support me. She tried, but I never really fit into that traditional mode. And apparently, on some level, she knew I never would.

After she died, I found a crystal heart on her bureau with a tiny pieces of paper folded up. On one she had written, "Success for Trish's retreat center" with a heart on it. It think I found her God Box.

Last night, as I sat alone quietly on my porch reflecting on the day, a huge dragonfly flitted around outside the screen. I've seen her before.

​Yesterday during the closing, I picked up my phone to add my mortgage payment date to my calendar. My brother Kevin's contact info popped up on my phone out of nowhere. He left this world a little over a month ago. His contact info popped up twice more throughout the day. I'm pretty sure my Mom and my brother both approve of the purchase.

Last night, after the closing, as we drank champagne and I listened to the previous owners share stories about the history of the house, which dates back to the early 1900's, I remembered an old picture I found when I was going through my Mom's things. It was a picture of my grandmother as a teenager sitting on the beach at Silver Lake. It was taken in 1924. My Mom used to talk about going to a lake house in NH but couldn't remember the name of the lake. My new house is on Silver Lake!"

I can't help but know this was meant to be. The thought of my grandmother and my Mom walking around my neighborhood comforts me, grounds me and makes me feel totally supported in this new adventure. I'm grateful for the time I've given myself to grieve all the loss I've had over the past couple of years and integrate some of the healing, miracles and profound growth me and my family have experienced.

And now, it's time. Stay tuned for details on upcoming events ... and save the date, June 21-23,  for the Grand Opening Events at Ripple on Silver Lake.

After a pretty tough year, Dad is back to good health, is home and settled in to his "new normal" and is actually driving again. He is my hero and has given me a glimpse into where I got my drive and persistence. If I'm honest, I'd tell you that I never thought he would ever make it home. If he was honest, he'd tell you that he never thought I would  realize my dream of buying this property and turning into a viable business. And yet here we both are to tell each other's stories and support each other through our challenges and experiences. So cool!

He is so happy to be home and I am so happy to be back in NH and settling back into my own life again. I finished up my classroom schedule and quickly geared up for opening day at King PIne Ski Area. The King Pine Ski and Snowboard School is in full swing. for the winter season. I have been quite  been quite busy keeping up with it all and haven't really been very good at simple self care.

The holidays were a blur, but it was wonderful to take Christmas Day off to head down to RI and spend the day with family. It was the first time we were all together since my Mom and my brother Kevin passed and since my Dad had his health challenges. It was wonderful to sit around the table and share stories about our experiences, growth, lessons and how Mom and Kevin let us each know they were around. So much love around that table with each of us suffering way too much loss in such a short amount of time.

I was so happy to finally get on skis this week and for the first time in a long time, I could feel my brain drowning in that wonderful serotonin surge I feel when I'm sliding on snow. That peaceful, easy feeling that literally soothes my soul and rejuvenates my spirit. I definitely need more of that and less of the busyness!

I finally had a couple of well deserved days off and I literally stayed home, practiced deep breathing and allowed myself to cozy up in front of the fire and let my mind wander. No plans. No lists. No chores. Nothing. I simply let my mind wander as I watched the flames flicker in the fireplace. As my mind wandered, I found myself thinking about spring. And about a grand opening event. And hosting weddings. And events I'd like to hold at Ripple. I started taking notes, making lists and formulating plans! And so it goes.

I know myself enough to know that when my mind is idle and I allow my body to rest, my creative juices flow, my passion takes over, the ideas flow and I get clear about what's next.

It's time!

Stay tuned for more info about our late spring Open House, our program and event schedule, discussion groups and opportunities to book our venue for your program, small group gathering or event. I'm even exploring the possibility of a hosting a few small weddings on this spectacular property. 

I'm excited for what's in store for this spring and summer! In the meantime, if you're interested in coming up for a quiet getaway, check out our VRBO rooms at https://www.vrbo.com/1367010?unitId=1925362