Highs and Lows Embraced at Spring Retreat

Our third and final installment of stories from the spring retreat:

A grieving REACH child-turned-adult arrived feeling physically and emotionally unwell. In the middle of the night her struggles intensified, and by morning she had decided she needed to find a ride home as soon as possible, despite the disappointment of missing the retreat. Friends and staff encouraged her to give it time, stating how she was loved and needed and appreciated, and we could wait patiently until she was ready to re-engage. Can you see her emerging from her cabin for Saturday’s lunch? Settling in with her tray of food between friends? Can you see her smile and talk with a twinkle in her eye that was notably absent the evening before? If you can picture all of that, then you recognize the healing touch of unconditional acceptance and safe community. REACH is a place where stigma doesn’t exist – around HIV, of course. But also around any other physical, mental or emotional struggle (or anything else) that the world would rather push to the margins.