Almost four years into my personal journey into motherhood, I have learned that some of my challenges are wildly common. Near-constant sensory and logistical overwhelm, deconstructing of (well-intended) pre-baby idealism, hard-to-communicate grief and resentments, and the occasional dose of blinding hot rage or anxiety. My journey has also been, however, a powerful invitation to a rite of passage through and beyond what author Beth Berry calls “Motherwhelm.”
Posts tagged #retreats
Weekend Getaways: GilChrist Retreat Center--Nature and Spirituality Intersecting
Over the years, I-94 has been my go-to route to destinations throughout southern Michigan, but this trip I got off the fast-track west of Jackson to see what I’ve been missing. On M-60 I passed through the campus of Spring Arbor University, and glimpsed local museums and farms. Bedroom communities like Concord, Tekonsha, and Union City offered local eateries and attractions missing from interstate rest stops. Accustomed to the relaxed vibe of those villages, the industrial scene of Three Rivers was an unexpected shift—a change experienced by travelers willing to take the less conventional path to Three Rivers’ GilChrist Retreat Center.
Weekend Getaways--Ronora Lodge
For some Michiganders, I-94’s western track is a familiar path. Excursions to breakfast behemoth Kellogg, muffin maestro Jiffy, or a sandy shore on Lake Michigan share the interstate with commuters and commercial traffic. I-94 is also the gateway to Watervliet, a rural section of the Niles-Benton Harbor metro area—a region often associated with beachfront getaways. A drive through downtown Watervliet provides a juxtaposition of convenience and tradition. The area’s relaxed vibe is the ideal backdrop for the natural respite offered by the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center.
Weekend Getaways: Heading North — Song of the Morning
I am usually excited to venture to new places. But on a recent Friday afternoon, after a week of air and road travel, I was maxed out, and I was hoping for some respite at a weekend retreat center up north that I was scheduled to visit. I just needed to rally enough energy and awareness for the four-hour drive. This was new territory for this East Coaster whose Michigan experiences have mainly focused on the southeastern region. I opted for the US-127 approach through Mount Pleasant. It lacked the speed of an interstate highway, but the closer proximity to towns, lakes, and parklands afforded a degree of intimacy missing from my typical highway commutes. I turned off the car audio to use the drive as an exercise in mindfulness. The subtle foliage changes became more pronounced as I drove past Clare, Grayling, and Gaylord, and made my way to the town of Vanderbilt and Song of the Morning (SOTM), a long-established yoga retreat center set on 800 beautiful acres.
Renewal for the Body, Mind, and Spirit at Grass Lake Sanctuary
Clinical trial. Deductible. Dosing. Pre-op. Protocol. Blood work. If you are familiar with any of these terms, you’ve likely had some encounter with health care services in the United States. However, the traditional medical model – a condition-focused, interventional approach controlled by clinical providers – toward health and wellness has been challenged. In seeking recovery via alternative models, Americans are exploring options beyond the doctor’s office. The Ann Arbor area is a nexus for many of these resources, including Grass Lake Sanctuary, a nature-focused retreat space in Manchester that has served the region for over ten years.
Weekend Getaway: Lial Renewal Center
Heading down US-23 toward Ohio was a familiar experience, but my expectations differed from past trips. Over the years, visits to the Toledo Zoo and the Imagination Station made Ohio synonymous with family playdates and non-stop activity. Driving south of Toledo was new territory, so missing the exit on US-24 near Napoleon led to an unexpected excursion into downtown Whitehouse. Named for a local official in the 1800’s, the village’s rural, relaxed setting was a welcome contrast from earlier visits to Northwest Ohio and complements Lial Renewal Center’s low key, introspective environs.
