I snuck away yesterday with a girlfriend to go on a mini ‘retreat’ in Austin, Texas. We are staying at this ‘green’ spa called The Crossings. www.thecrossingsaustin.com
We are in seclusion among rich greenery atop the hills of Austin overlooking Lake Travis with a scenic view that physically takes the weight from your shoulders and whispers in your ear, “Just breathe.”
Last night we met up with some friends of Karen’s that live in town for drinks at Peche and then dinner afterward at True Lucks. We managed to sneak in two $5 happy hour lemon doozies at Peche before heading over to dinner. The crab at True Lucks was succulent and they surprised me with a piece of chocolate heaven for a pre-birthday dessert.
It was a fabulous night with fabulous company…but I was fabulously tired. By the time we made it back to the spa/resort we were locked out by an iron gate (it was 11pm)…we felt like teenagers sneaking home after a long night of partying. 😉 Once in the room the beds were the other slice of heaven and I don’t recall saying two words to Karen before falling into a dreamless sleep.
This morning I woke to an ‘organic’ breakfast in the dining hall, eggs, turkey bacon, wheat pancakes, fruit, potatoes, etc etc…*sigh* and then over for a morning stretch program with Drew. The ‘Movement’ room is located by the infinity pool that over looks Lake Travis. As we stretched and I released any tension that was left from the past MONTHS of summer…I thanked God for giving me this gift I’d nearly forgotten about. We’d made the reservations months ago and both of us forgot we were going till this week!!
At 10am I had my first ever deep tissue massage with Rhianna and it was AMAZING. Honest to my sweet God it was the BEST massage I’d ever received. Even as I’m typing this (and the staff walks by and tries to urge me OFF the computer) I am so ‘chill’…I feel I could just fall asleep at any second. I think one of the best moments of the massage was the fact that I used it as a time to connect with God deep within. The entire time I zoned out and thought about Him and His love for me and my family, my friends and all the intentions I had on my heart. The massage was an hour and a half so I was able to get in an entire rosary as she worked out the deepest knots. It was fabulous. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t just being spoiled but that I was thanking God for the opportunity when I know it is an extravagance.
I know it is in the middle of the day but I wanted to go ahead and complete this journal entry for the day early because God has been so relevant in everything. Even with the conversations I’ve had in the past few hours. The young man, Drew, who led the morning stretch had just stopped by – to see how my stay has been- and he decided to sit and visit. I couldn’t help but smile as he began to tell me a little about his life, his ‘past’, the ‘3 stages of life’ he’s lived through, how he feels better and on top of the world. He was sharing with me his story and I am thankful. It is a gift when others share their story. They are giving a piece of themselves to you.
I am blessed that others want to do that with me and I am doubly blessed to have the opportunity to give myself to many.
My day isn’t over…and I am so thankful. 🙂
Blessings
Shannon