***

Retreat in Vermont – Present Day

The experience of forgiveness was so deeply intense and heartening that neither Bette nor Tina could deny that something profound happened during their individual meditations. Neither could think of anything else in their lives that had touched them so overpoweringly except perhaps the birth of their daughter Angelica.

They both came out of the exercise in awe of how different they felt both physically and emotionally. It truly was as if a heavy weight was lifted off their shoulders. The weight of guilt, regret, resentment and grudges dissolved and were replaced by the lightness of renewed positive love energy. They felt empowered and grounded. They were ready to take charge of their lives. They were set to move forward with forgiving one another.

Once they all returned to the campsite Paul and Julia helped Bette and Tina to prepare a symbolic release ritual of the forgiven indiscretions. This was the final ‘letting go’.

They each placed the ashes from the lists that they’d burned into water-soluble urns that were 100% biodegradable and water friendly. Each specifically designed to gradually disperse the ashes into whatever body of water in which they were immersed; in this case it was the river that fed the beautiful waterfall. The ashes would not be cast directly into the water but instead placed in the urns that were intended to float for several minutes then slowly sink where they would degrade back to the river.

Bette and Tina shed more tears as they watched the urns sail away and eventually sink into the river; never to resurface again.

Let It Go By Tim McGraw

I’ve been caught sideways out here on the crossroads

Oh yeah