Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp

The above photograph shares precisely what New York Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp feels like ---JOY!  Yes, total and utter joy.  

This was my fifth year returning as a spectator and it feels like returning home.  Knowing my way around the airport, the feel of the hotel as I walk in, curling up into the most comfortable bed, seeing familiar faces and falling back in as if we had just seen each other yesterday.  It is good, so very good.  

Five years ago when I boarded the plane I had no idea what to expect.  This was my aunts dream and I was just along for the ride.  There were a bit of nerves about the unexpected and an excitement around what was to come.  

Never in a million years did I think that my heart would open up to an incredible family.  Yet it did.  There was this amazing Bomber Family that melded together so well.  It has grown and expanded and is still so strong.  For this I am grateful!  

These women inspire me.  They push me further than I thought I could go. They remind me that through laughter we can get through anything and that we have to show up and tell the truth.  They don't let failure stand in their way.  They keep on showing up and and always remember to have a good time.  

Yankees Camp has taught me that there will be moments when we will not be sure what what the situation will hold, but we have to take the risk anyway.  With no expectations and an open heart a whole new world has the possibility of opening up.  And that is exactly what has happened.    

I am forever changed from the individuals I have met at camp.  The kindness I have been shown.  The stories that have been shared.  The laughter, the goodness, and the beauty of being able to be wholly and unapologetically who you are.  

Yes, Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp is where dreams come true.  Where you put on the pinstripes and meet the legends. But it is also so much more than that.  It is friendship and love!  

Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp :: going back!

I am heading back to Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp for the fifth year in a row.  I do not play in the camp but love going each year to cheer on my three Aunts and the entire Bomber Team.  They suit up in the pinstripes and step out onto the field with so much happiness.  

It is inspiring to see these women show up year after year.  Fun is had and friendships have been formed. The love of the NY Yankees brought us together, but there is something so much more that keeps us connected.  I love going back each year and seeing these inspiring women.  It feels like home and they feel like family. 

I sit on the sidelines with the other amazing fans but I still feel so much apart of the experience.  There are some who will not be making it back this year and they will be missed!  

I am so grateful that my aunts took the chance and showed up to this experience.  I look forward to it each year.  It is like art camp for baseballs fans.  You show up initially for the baseball . . . but then the experience and friendships become so much more.  

It is going to be good, so very good!  Looking forward to some warm sunshine, lots of laughter, and plenty of cheers  . . .

Let's go Bombers!!!

gathering with kindreds

Gathering with Kindreds is an integral part of my self care.  These gatherings ground me and ignite the spark that fuels the creative fire in my soul.  When Jen Lee offered up the opportunity to meet with other local creatives in the area at The Park in NYC I couldn't say no.  However, I knew when the day came I would have to push myself to get into the city.  

The city is not far from me, but it is a journey to get there.  Traffic is unpredictable, finding parking can be a hassle, and I always end up getting extremely lost.  The morning before the gathering I tried coming up with a million excuses not to go, but I knew in my heart it was the best thing for me.  

Interacting with strangers can be difficult for me.  I am reserved until I develop a connection with someone and then my heart spills wide open.  However it takes time for me to get to that point.  I don't have it in me to immediately begin sharing what I am working on and what my dreams are for the future.  Slowly I peel away the layers revealing the truth in my stories.

Gathering around the table with like minded souls reminded me how important it is to share our stories.  To open up and let others see what really matters to us.  It is our stories that connect us and we will not know the thread that weaves us together until we open up.  

There were two other women that I was talking to and we each revealed our love stories. It was fascinating to me how they each met there respective others and I loved getting a glimpse into an intimate part of their lives.  Everyone has a unique story but in the end we are all looking for the same thing.  We want to share our voice with the world and we want to be loved and respected.  

Everyone at that table had a different background, different passions, and did something different for work.  However we were all drawn there because we understand the importance of community.  You cannot survive in this world alone.  You need to gather with others, share your ideas, and swap stories.  These are the connections that fuel us.  They take us further than we thought we could go and remind us that we are not alone.  

These gatherings do not have to be grand and opulent.  It can be a quant meeting at a coffee shop gathered with a few like minded souls.  A half outs time spent connecting will give you more energy to go out and chase your dreams than you could ever image.  

You can create these gatherings wherever you are.  All it takes is courage and action!  Courage to say yes and invite others in and action in actually going forward with it.  Start small with one or two people and see where it leads you.  You never know what could happen when you open the door to opportunity.  Go ahead and ignite the spark by opening the door and inviting others in.  

daily life

My daily life doesn't consist of sitting at the end of the dock
Feet dangling in the water
Favorite book in my hand
Listening to the sound of giggles and brave souls jumping in 

My daily life doesn't consist of a cabin full of goodness
Late night conversations with deep belly laughter
Tangled yarn balls
A puzzle collectively put together

Nope, that doesn't happen every day

My daily life doesn't consist of knitted surprises
Birds in car seats
Delicious food I don't have to prepare
A room full of women cheering each other on

My daily life doesn't consist of the option to do nothing
Rest, rejuvenation, the ability to listen closely
A chance to learn or a moment to be
Never a judgment on what you decide

Nope, that doesn't happen every day either

My daily life consist of showing up
For work, the laundry, my loved ones
The list goes on and on
With always a new task to add

My daily life consist of savoring the sweet times
Squeezing in moments to do what pleases me
Finding myself, over and over again
And leaning on the friendships I have cultivated along the way

My daily life consist of carving out time for running
Sending snail mail
Snuggling up close
Dreaming, being, becoming

Yup, my daily life may look messy
It isn't always rainbows and butterflies
There are slips ups, and wishes that haven't come true
A balancing act of sorts

But this life is mine and each day I get to create it
I choose what I do, how I react, and where I want to go to next
I can say yes or no
I hold the opportunities in my hand

I am grateful for this daily life
Of ups and downs, laughter and tears
Grateful for my loved ones
And the chance to always begin again
 

it was here

It was here where I sat each morning at Squam Arts Workshops  
Pondering the day ahead
Dreaming of what could be
Tucking moments and memories into my pockets

It was here where I was infused with inspiration and courage
I learned that I could do it
I saw myself through new eyes
I traced the journey and loved that I ended up right back here

It was here where I saw how far I have come
Stronger, braver, wiser I stood
Ready to embrace the world and connect with those around me
Open and free I knew I could take the leap

It was here where
Alongside this lake
That dreams came true
And dreams were born

Yes, it was here!
 

P.S. A special shout out to my dear cabin mate who noticed me out on the dock each morning and took the time to capture this moment.  I am so grateful.  xo

the lake held us gently

There was color
There was twinkle lights
There was laughter . . . the deep belly kind

There were puzzles to put together
There were letters to be written and then burned
There were moments of dreams coming true

There was support and love
Friendships were formed and deepened
Kindness spilled out

So much goodness was witnessed by the lake
And gently she held it all
Inviting us in for a dip, moments of reflection, or time to explore

My mind and heart are still processing
Tears have been falling
As I reflect on what I have carried home

A full heart
Gratitude tucked into my pockets
And another journey to encourage me to keep stepping forward

More soon about my adventures at squam.