Tuesday AND Wednesday Lovetree Essentials will donate 20% of sales to the Courageous Women Fearless Living (CWFL) program.
There's still time! A message from my heart to yours: I hope you'll grab a cup of tea and join me for a story.
My name is Ann Braden, founder of Lovetree Essentials. As you may know, Lovetree Essentials was born as a result of changes I began making after a breast cancer diagnosis. What you may not know is that back in 2012, I was feeling pretty broken and very overwhelmed. I thought a retreat might help, so, eight weeks after a double mastectomy with DIEP/SIEA flap reconstruction, I boarded a plane to Colorado for the Courageous Women Fearless Living (CWFL) program. I wasn't even sure I should go - I sure didn’t feel courageous and was feeling pretty fearful most days.
The fear kept me company as I pondered all that could go wrong. How would I wrangle my ridiculously large suitcase? What if the plane explodes in the air? What if no one wants to talk to me? Everything felt threatening. I didn’t realize at the time my entire system had been on high alert for months.
I was nervous arriving, but with the pine-drenched mountain air and the warmth of everyone at registration, something started to shift. Over the five days on retreat, fear began falling away, replaced by a strong sense of connection and belonging. I fell in love with every one of the 36-ish women in the program. While each of us had our own unique experience, we had a common bond. Even when I got back home, it felt like no matter what might happen in life, I would always have the love and support of these women with whom I am forever deeply bonded.
I’ve gone back to this retreat, this wellspring of soul healing, four times. Most recently as part of the staff. Every year is different, but every year my spirit is nourished in ways that bring joy and make me do crazy bold things I never would have done before. Like training for and completing my first marathon! Or starting therapy. Or beginning a new apothecary business in mid-life. To paraphrase a line from “Wicked,” I like to think that I’ve been changed for the better but I know I have been changed for good.
On this Giving Thursday, consider supporting this amazing program.
Tuesday and Wednesday I'm donating 20% of my sales to the Courageous Women Fearless Living (CWFL) program.
Here’s a link to give directly, donations are tax-deductible: http://cwfl.org
And if you know a woman whose life has been touched by cancer, let her know about this program.
Thank you for listening. With love and gratitude, Ann
