Sisters on Purpose

My mother-in-law and her sisters have recently organized and founded a women's retreat, called Sisters on Purpose. The "maiden voyage" this year was to Spoleto, Italy. They took a group of women to Italy to embark on a trip that was beyond "sightseeing", but moreso soul-searching in an amazing location. Its the most inspiring story of women bonding together and growing with each other and within themselves I have heard in a long time. I wanted to share with you their story and let you know of her Facebook fan page (Click Here!), where you can find details on the 2 upcoming trips they have planned this year for Germany and Italy. Enjoy! and Spread the Word!

"Siblings by Chance ~ Sisters on Purpose”

 

If we seem a little tongue tied when asked to explain our story, why we’re doing what we’re doing and exactly what it is we are doing, it’s because this moment in time feels almost accidental to us and hard to describe. It is the culmination of countless moments in our shared history and adequate description must include some background.  The thing is, our background, like so many others of a certain age, has millions of little branches along the way making it difficult to stay focused on an exact route.  But here’s our attempt.

 

We’re 3 sisters, with 2 different mothers and 1 mutual father.  Debbie, the oldest lived down the street from Sylvia, the next oldest and Katy, the youngest, in the small town of Price, UT.   We went to the same schools, the same church and even had mostly the same teachers.

 

Although we loved each other as siblings, we had very different lives, different interests and different friends. And while we weren’t what you would call super close, something happened as we neared adulthood. It’s not easy to explain, and wasn’t conscious at the time, but looking back now, we were intrinsically drawn to each other. 

 

Our sisterhood took a turn when, in February 1985, through a series of “branches”, Debbie, married with 3 children, moved her family to Scottsdale, AZ.  Sylvia simultaneously got a new job and moved to Scottsdale as well to become roommates with Debbie, and her family. Katy,  attending Weber State University decided to spend Spring Break in Scottsdale with her sisters.  We truly enjoyed each others’ company and, while it would take a few years for us to officially name it, Sisters’ Weekend was born. Each year, around Spring Break, we would plan to be somewhere together even for only a couple of days.

 

At first these trips were primarily about seeing each other, escaping from our own current lives and blowing off steam.  Oh, it wasn’t always perfect.  There were arguments, missed flights, tears, apologies, and hugs.  But most of all there was growth, both as individuals and as sisters.  We came to love each other, not just as siblings, but as friends, as confidants, as inspirations, and as pieces of ourselves.

 

The years brought new marriages, babies, divorces, health scares, personal struggles, deaths, new careers, and grandbabies.  They also brought a desire to share this experience of closeness, growth and nourishment.   We wanted to spread the joy we had discovered in and through each other.  Our target audience naturally became other women, who pour so much of their time and energy into their children, families and work and many times spread themselves so thin they no longer have the time or energy to refuel.  We believe the key factors which make Sisters’ Weekend so valuable and we want to mimic are:

•     Travel
•      Discussions
•      Solitude
•      Wonderful Food
•      Beautiful Surroundings

 

Our goal is strive to combine these factors into a travel experience which, we hope, will allow you, to get out of your physical element/distractions creating an opportunity to regroup; be inspired by the stories and insights of other like minded women; have moments of alone time; all the while enjoying wonderful food in beautiful surroundings sprinkled with understanding, compassion, acceptance, passion and motivation that can nourish our souls.

 

Who/where we are :  Debbie Turner               Sylvia Lamb                    Katy Montrone
                                   Scottsdale, AZ             Lago Vista, TX                Bountiful, UT