Dreams in Big Sky Country

I know its hard to believe, but the sky really seems bigger in Montana than anywhere else. I just returned from a 5-day sojourn at Camp Mak-A-Dream in Gold Creek, Montana. I went for the first ever Young Survivor's Conference, which was presented by the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation. I had a brain tumor when I was 13, and in MT I was surrounded by others who survived a brain tumor. Having a brain tumor is one experience that cannot be easily put into words, and being part of a community that understood that experience was a surreal and magnificent occurrence. It bordered on the miraculous how at-peace and comfortable everyone was, and the dialogs that ensued were ripe with authentic feeling and honesty. Everyone involved made this such a wonderful experience that will always remain in my heart.

The Wild Montana Skies were an excellent backdrop to this spectacular retreat. I arose each day to meditate to the awakening of the earth, followed that with a hike in the crisp morning air, and then partook in a day complete with information and a good share of fun. The night sky was so chock full of stars that I would be brought to stillness, mesmerized by the glory of nature. Sad to leave, but grateful to attend, we made our way from the Northern Midwest to the bright lights of New York. I must thank Stacia Wagner for both creating this amazing event, as well as putting into words that which we were all thinking: "The moment we left Montana, I began to feel anxiety and chaos creep back into my psyche."