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Sunny Cove Female Factor Beach Retreat 2016


Recently I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a relaxing, fun filled weekend with some amazing women from the bleeding disorder community. We laughed, we cried, we shared stories and made friendships and memories that will last a life time. The beach retreat was located in the beautiful Sunny Cove Retreat along a strip of the majestic Santa Cruz coast line. 22 women gathered together for a weekend women's retreat that was filled with meditation, yoga, arts and crafts, delicious food, and enough educational discussions to nurture our souls for months.


Driving to the venue I had no idea what to expect. As I blindly turned the corner onto the street that our retreat was on, I saw the most breath taking view. I pulled up across the street from the house and was over come with joy. To the left was the ocean as far as the eye could see, and to the right the most quant and adorable 1950's beach house retreat.


When I walked into the house a cozy feeling rushed over my body. I instantly felt pampered, relaxed and peaceful.  Three of my favorite beacons of The Female Factor group were there to greet me and give me a tour of the house. A 4 bedroom, 3 bath beach bungalow with a hot tub was at out mercy. The house offered everything we needed from beach chairs, ocean front views, a kitchen filled with goodies, to several quaint and quiet nooks to sit down and enjoy the peace and quiet or spark up a conversation with a friend. The setting was perfect and filled with women from all ages and walks of life.



Friday after sitting down to a delicious meal we had a speaker come in and talk to us about deep breathing and meditation. We learned breathing techniques to calm us down, ways to put yourself in a calmer state of mind and the impact this can make on your body and soul. After that everyone ventured off . . some of us going down to the beach, some cozying up inside, some laughing and playing outside in the moonlight. Most of us headed to bed fairly early that night anxiously awaiting the next days activities.


Through out the retreat we had the opportunity to get involved with several different presentations about mediation, yoga, and relationships. When you wanted to dig your feet in the sand you could walk across a quiet street to Sunny Cove Beach. I had never experienced anything like it. We could relax, cook, craft, sit in the hot tub or walk along the beach.


Saturday morning after waking up to breakfast on the table we got to appreciate some down time.  I enjoyed the hot tub, enjoyed some craft time and I got to go down to the beach several times that day. I loved being able to walk down to what seemed like our own private beach.  At one point I grabbed a beach chair along with one of my bleeder sisters and we headed down to watch the local high school kids enjoy the day. It was slightly overcast but that didn't stop us from enjoying the tranquility of this view.

After lunch we enjoyed a group discussion on relationships, raising a bleeder, being a bleeder and/or the impact this had on our lives.  As we all sat cozied up on couches or sitting down, taking in the the view of the ocean we were able to share our stories, asked questions, and speak freely, all while hearing the waves crash outside.


Saturday night a bunch of us walked across the street and enjoyed the most breathtaking sunset I had ever seen. It was beautiful. As we all stood together watching daylight fade and holding onto one another a bond was made. We stood there for almost an hour just taking in the peace of the evening air. It was incredibly therapeutic.


Through out the weekend we could utilize our artsy side and partake in several different projects. We made magnet mounted air plants, colored amazing pictures, and even made a quilt that would go to another bleeder in the community.
It was truly an amazing weekend.  As you walked through the house you could hear laughter, sorrow, grief as different generations of stories were being shared.


As usual I walked away from another Female Factor event feeling inspired, loved and that bonds were made that cant be broken.  There's such an understanding between all of us, this hidden attachment that only those affected by a bleeding disorder can understand. We've all experienced the same fears, jumped through the same hurdles, and fought the same wars.  I love these ladies and appreciate their friendships more than they'll ever know. Until next time Bleeder Sisters. XOXO



Written by,
Kari Peepe
©KariPeepe/atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com
http://atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com
pspdaware@gmail.com
www.pspdaware.com

For more stories about Bleeding Disorder Events I've attended please check out . . .








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