Small in Number, Mighty in Joy: Our Second Annual Let Us Play™ Retreat at Smokey Shadows Lodge
This weekend at Smokey Shadows Lodge, our Let Us Play™ retreat reminded us that a group's size doesn't determine its impact.
Our circle was smaller than we had hoped, but mighty in every way that mattered. It was filled with laughter, joy, creative play, meaningful conversation, reflection, and the kind of connection that helps us remember we are more than a diagnosis. Together, we made room to breathe, be seen, rest, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves that still long for delight and possibility.
We were blessed with gentle movement led by Sara Lewis, a restorative sound bath offered by Yogi Tim https://www.yogitim.com/, and a beautiful lesson from Sandy Wilson, https://www.buzzyblossomsgarden.com/, who shared her knowledge of tea and its healing qualities. Becky Merrill-Collins generously donated ephemera packets. And I would be remiss not to shout from the mountaintops about the extraordinary gift of comfort food and hospitality we received from Tracy Shinn, her sister Amie, Carol, Ginny, and Becky. We are thankful to DeWayne for keeping the fires burning. Their care nourished us in every sense of the word.
We also paused to reflect together. This weekend marked two years since Hurricane Helene changed so much for our mountain communities, and we honored the resilience, loss, and rebuilding so many of us have experienced. We also celebrated the life and spirit of Dolly Parton, whose generous heart, love for these mountains, and joyful spirit remind us that kindness and delight can carry us through even the hardest seasons.
That is the heart of the Let Us Play philosophy in action: healing is not only about the body. It is also about community, creativity, belonging, and giving ourselves permission to experience joy again.
I am so happy with the beautiful results of this joyful reset, and deeply grateful to every person who helped make it possible. A heartfelt thank-you to Friends of Peter Mayer Group, Friends of Lee Lee’s Life Lessons, Becky Merrill-Collins, Yogi Tim, Sara Lewis, Sandy Wilson, and the wonderful Smokey Shadows Lodge team—Tracy and Amie Shinn and their helpers. Your generosity, care, and belief in this work created such a special space for survivors to gather, laugh, share, and simply be.
We were also delighted to welcome Ashly Dollar of Carolina Breast Friends in the Charlotte area to participate in our retreat. Her presence was a meaningful reminder of the connections we are building across our survivor community.
We look forward to welcoming Charlotte-area survivors to Smokey Shadows Lodge for a future Let Us Play™ retreat.
We leave with full hearts, new memories, and a renewed belief that joy can be a powerful part of thriving with and beyond cancer.
We are already looking forward to our next Let Us Play retreat. Thanks to the wonderful social-media buzz around this weekend, six survivors and thrivers have already committed to joining us next time. The joy is growing, and so is our community.
A huge thank-you as well to Lisa Zangara and La Roche-Posay for generously providing products from their oncology-support line; to Mast General Store for the thoughtful welcome gifts; to Natural Earth Paints for the discounted Nature Craft Paint Kits; and to Lee Lee’s Life Lessons Foundation for providing the welcome totes. These meaningful touches helped every participant feel cared for from the moment they arrived.
Most of all, thank you to our retreat participants. Your openness, courage, laughter, and willingness to show up for yourselves and one another made this weekend what it was. You brought the heart to Let Us Play™, and it was an honor to share this joyful reset with each of you.
💛
Come as you are. Thrive as we go.
