Dear Healing Waters,
I recently went on one of your rafting trips on the
American River. It did me a world of good, and I wanted to
thank you all: The administrators, the volunteers, your
donors - all of you who made it possible for this stressed
bundle of nerves and drug side-effects to forget his
troubles and experience a day of simple, uncomplicated joy.
Joy: I'd kind of forgotten what that was like, the
experience of losing yourself in something that's fun,
validating, fulfilling; of being so in the moment, and
excited, and happy, that everything else falls away.
Rafting outside in the hot sunshine, splashing in icy-clean
water, furious paddling, laughing, screaming, whitewater,
no gravity, gravity, adrenaline, teamwork, water
fights...It's good to be able to let go like that
sometimes. Healing.
What was so effortless and enjoyable for us, your client,
surely took a lot of hard work on your part: planning,
logistics, money, material. I don't how you guys do it. Al
I can say is I'm so grateful. As Eric and I drove home on
Sunday we talked about this quality your staff an
volunteers seem to have, this - well, it's a cliché but we
couldn't find a better word - this quality of heart.
Cracked this old heart of stone.
Thanks to all of you. Two days in your hands did me more
good that the $2,000 worth of drugs I take in a month.
--Michael
June 2004
---------------------------------------------------
Hi Karen.
I am writing to let you know what a wonderful time I had
this past weekend, rafting and camping at Camp Lotus. I had
a blast. Amanda did an incredible job of keeping the events
going smoothly and on schedule. Rob was beyond amazing (and
tons of fun) as our rafting guide. And Philip and Ray were
both alot of fun to be with and great cooks to boot! I am
pleased with my first experience with Healing Waters.
And the trip meant so much to me for so many reasons. I
have been positive since 1999, and it was amazing to see
such a group of like-people coming together in such a
supportive and friendly and FUN way. All of us have been
through the ups and downs of HIV over the years, some more
than others, but here we had a safe, comfortable and
exciting place to come together and share some of these
experiences - while having a hell of a good time.
Thanks for allowing that to happen. I truly believe that
Healing Waters provides a valuable service to folks such as
myself, who needed such a trip to remember that life can
actually be fun again!
One last note I would like to make is that you made the
trip affordable to me. Since losing my job, I have
struggled financially, and I could not have afforded to go
at any other price. So I thank you and your sponsors and
donors for the opportunity of a lifetime. It meant so much
to me and though I will probably forget most everybody's
names from the trip, I will certainly NOT forget the trip
itself, and am looking forward to the next time I get the
opportunity to attend one of your trips. These words just
can not really express the feelings I have after going on
the trip. Thank you HEALING WATERS for giving me my life
back, if only for 2 days!
THANK YOU SO MUCH
Sincerely,
Greg
July 2004
healing waters
Empowering, inspiring and enriching the lives of people with HIV/AIDS through wilderness adventures