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Published: June 17th 2008
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I spent Friday-Monday am in Sedona with my dad and sister. We have now spent the last 3 years together on this weekend (always Father's Day weekend too). It began 2 years ago, when my mom died in Santa Barbara. Last year we went to Gold Lake in Colorado and were at a mountain retreat. This year it was Enchantment in Sedona. The idea is to be together, remember my mom and the many lessons she has taught us. We go to places she would enjoy too--since we feel that she is with us wherever we go.
Sedona is absolutely beautiful. My sister laughed at my comment that it is so gorgeous it looks fake. But really, it is unbelievable how beautiful that place is. Take the red rocks, the desert with the cacti (I want to say cactuses but I know that is wrong)...and add some lush greens, a few blue pools. It's like a natural amusement park. I am more of a city girl than Laura is...but I do appreciate the beauty of where we were. I also appreciate the air conditioned casa my dear father rented us. It was a 2 bedroom house. Full kitchen, fireplace, 2
bedrooms with 2 fancy bathrooms. That's what I call camping!
The highlights of Sedona
The incredible scenery forces introspection. You can't be in that place and not take time to be reflective and thoughtful. Our purpose for being there was to be together and take time to remember mom. She loved Sedona, so we talked about her constantly and my dad shared some stories from their past trips to Enchantment.
Laura got me a psychic massage at the spa. It was really nice. The woman did massage and also a sort of reading. I tend to be a skeptic when it comes to these things, but I decided to just believe in the possibility of what she would tell me. It was all good stuff, and she said things that felt true about me. A new experience for sure. I felt good after the treatment and hopeful about my future with all the uncertainty that awaits me...so again, why not?
We felt my mom with us especially on our hike on Sunday. Laura brought notes people wrote at the Celebration of Sarah's Life party we held in Napa. We each pulled some out of a big bag
and read them aloud. There were many, many notes. One of the ones I picked was from my parents-in-law. I thought that was pretty special that I pulled that particular card out of a huge bag of cards. People wrote such warm and loving things, and they were all so true. We spent time sharing and remembering and it felt very good to do this together. Later, on our way out of town, we went to a church my parents always visited when they came. It was this amazing church at the top of a hill. We each lit a candle for mom and spent some time together in the church.
We don't really know when the 3 of us will next reunite. These Gorodezky family reunions--small though they are--are very sweet. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful sister and dad.
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Erin Cizina
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This is one of the most special places that I know
I agree that Sedona is special. Some say that it has a special magnetic field or that it has a unique energy. I don't know but the surroundings do make you want to be introspective. I have also been to the church that you mention and it was a powerful experience. I think that it is a very fitting place to commune with your mom. I am going up there at the end of September for a few days alone and look forward to taking some wonderful hikes.