AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Everyone here knows how Spencer and I got together. How we broke all the rules and got called out by the staff. They all think it’s hilarious.
“You really should consider naming the baby Zen or Bhudda or Mantra,” Lauren says, grinning madly. “Those will all work for either gender, don’t you think?”
“Ha! Yeah. You’re hilarious,” I say rolling my eyes. All the women are teasingly annoyed with Spencer and me for not finding out the baby’s gender. But, we decided we want to be surprised and we’re not budging.
“Baby Garrett really wants to know whether his cousin is going to be a boy or a girl,” Lindy says, rubbing her very pregnant belly.
“I know, I know, Lindy,” I say. “But Baby Garrett is going to have to wait like the rest of us. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Dinner is a to-die-for pasta dish with a kale and butternut squash salad. The waitstaff happily caters to our every need. For me, this includes asking for some grilled chicken to go on top. I need lots of protein, growing this baby.
As everyone finishes up the last of their food, the director, whose name is Alton, stands and welcomes us all to the retreat. He reminds us gently about the rules, emphasizing the most important one being that we all remain silent.
“Take this time to really reach within yourselves and allow your heart to show you the way,” he says, glancing around at all of us. “Feel free to journal daily to explore what’s coming up in you. If any of you need a journal, we have a basket of them near the front desk. Please help yourself.”
So far, I love this place. Incredibly welcoming and gracious. It’s definitely a different feel than Northern Dharma, where I felt like we were all children being occasionally chastised for misbehaving. At six months pregnant, I needed a retreat that was more luxe than austere.
“Alright, everyone, the silent part of the meditation is now beginning. Thank you for your cooperation,” Alton says, holding both of his hands up and giving us a quick nod.
We all look at each other and have to stifle a giggle at how crazy this is. Spencer and I are the only ones out of our group that have done this before. We know what’s in store. The good and the bad. I’m certainly hoping the bad is very limited thistime. No scrubbing toilets or cutting up pounds of vegetables for soup this time.
Time flies by and before we know it it’s Sunday afternoon and we are in the final meditation of the retreat.
I have enjoyed this so much. I desperately needed some time to recharge. I was sleeping so soundly Saturday morning that I didn’t even hear the wake-up bell. I haven’t slept like that in months. Spencer left me to continue snoozing and came for me when it was breakfast time.
None of us broke our silence, as far as I know. I can’t wait to talk with everyone when this session is over so we can all share about the experience.
The gong chimed and everyone started to shift in anticipation. Alton, sitting at the front of the room, waited for everyone’s eyes to open and meet his.
“Congratulations. You’ve completed this silent retreat. Whether it’s your first or your hundred and first I hope it was everything you were hoping for,” he began. “The staff and I all thank you for remaining silent. We realize that it’s challenging sometimes. But, I assure you, it enhanced your time here with us.”
“I’d like to hear now from anyone who would like to speak about their experience. Anything at all you’d like to say would be great.”
An older man who I noticed had fallen asleep at some of the sessions started. “I just want to thank all the staff and our amazing teachers for leading us on this journey. I have been to many retreats in the past, but this was one of my favorites,” he said smiling. “And, also, I know I dozed off a few timesduring the sessions and I hope I didn’t disturb anyone with my snoring.”
Everyone laughed.
“I’ve always had a lot of anxiety,” a young blonde woman said. “After this weekend, I can honestly say I’ve never felt so calm. The voice inside my head seems to have quieted and I’m so grateful.”
Many people nodded their heads in agreement with the woman.
We all looked around, waiting for the next person to speak.
“Anyone else?” Alton asked.
“I have something to say,” Spencer says beside me and I startle not expecting to hear his deep voice.
“Sasha Claire Jackson,” he begins, turning to me, taking my hand and looking deeply into my eyes. “I never thought I’d find you but here you are. You and our baby,” he says glancing at my belly, “mean everything to me. I’m head over heels in love with both of you.”
I blink back the tears that are threatening to fall.
“I want to spend my life with you. To kiss you in the morning when you wake and before you fall asleep at night,” he says, his eyes gleaming. Are those tears?
He shifts from his sitting position to bended knee. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes! A hundred times yes!” I exclaim, throwing my arms around his neck and holding on tightly. I lean back to look into his gorgeous olive eyes, framed by those incredibly sexy eyebrows, and there are definitely tears now. I kiss him and whisper, “I love you so much.”
“I love you back, babe. You’re my everything,” he gives me his best wink.
