The Island Way

Another beautiful day here at the Oak Island Little Pink retreat!  The day started out with some adventurous families trying out paddle boarding for the first time with the guys from Ocean Cure and Odysea Surf School.  We glided across the water, did headstands on the boards, caught some jelly fish, and had a morning full of laughter, pride, and a sense of accomplishment.  Our Little Pink families came to the house for lunch and it is starting to just feel like one big family reunion when we are all together!  We are lucky to have such a wonderful group of strong women with beautifully supportive families by their sides.   And mom and dad got a chance to go out on date night tonight while the Volunstars watched the little ones.  They were able to relax and enjoy a beautiful dinner- and we have the smiles to prove it!  It is clear that one of the best ways to truly relax is to do it "The Island Way". 

I Will Survive!

Tuesday brought another gorgeous day on the island.  The early risers spent the morning at the golf course graciously donated by Oak Island Golf Club.  Two of our volunstars shared their gift of creativity  to help some of the women create memory tins and decorative tiles.  Others took the ferry to Ft. Fisher and enjoyed the aquarium. 

Lunch was Caribbean style with tons of laughter around the table.  The afternoon was perfect for napping, shell hunting and holding hands.  And the evening was the first ever, family dinner outting for a Little Pink retreat.  Thank you Oak Island Golf Club!

The conversation was rich, the dancing was high-spirited, and the karaoke was entertaining.  The survivors expressed their celebration of life when together they sang, “I Will Survive”. 

Yeah!

The first full day of the retreat was full of laughter, waves, seashells, jazz hands, lots of shaving cream and new friends.  The water was the perfect temperature, and the company was warmhearted.  With squeals of delight from first-time-toes-in-the-sand to skimboarding on the sand, we all cheered on the day and each other.

Colleen and her friends from Generations Church provided lunch at her home on the canal, and we all lingered a little longer, still soaking in the gorgeous day and the kinship. 

The families spent the afternoon soaking in all the beach has to offer from fishing to shell hunting to napping.  Once again, everyone gathered around at Colleen’s house enjoying nature, especially the peaceful deer.  The camaraderie was like magic, and the 2-year-old said it best when he threw his hands in the air and said YEAH!!! 

A Reason to Celebrate

The Volunstars spent the day preparing for the arrival of the Oak Island retreat families, and it was hard to tell who was more excited, the volunstars or the families.   The Little Pink families traveled from Arkansas, Wisconsin, North and South Carolina, Maryland and New York to celebrate the beginning of a great week – one full of love and support from complete strangers who have opened their homes, their businesses and loving arms to show these families that people really do care.

Oak Island Accommodations and OI beach house owners helped to make each beach house the perfect home for the next week.  Kids jumped up and down, others hopped in the ocean right away, and some held each other tighter with tears of joy at such a fabulous view. 

The families were excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for the week, and they were intrigued by the hope of watching turtles hatch at Nest 57.  They ended the night together by celebrating Matt’s 4^th birthday and cheering him on.  Although tired from a long day of travel and meeting new friends, the families were full of anticipation and eager to celebrate together!