HopeCasting for Recovery's motto, "to fish is to hope" is true in so many ways. Having heard about CFR through the Stonefly Maidens Fly Fishing Club for the last few years I decided to volunteer and see what it was all about.
I had seen all the pink CFR gear at all the sportsmen's shows, fly shops, etc. and at first glance, turned my nose up at the baby pink color they used. I thought to myself, "JUST BECAUSE WE ARE WOMEN DOESN'T MEAN WE WANT ALL OUR FISHING GEAR IN PINK!" and the feminist part of me was angered and annoyed in a way that they couldn't pick a green or blue, or some other color to represent women fly fishers.
The CFR retreat changed my whole perception of what the color pink represents. The 14 women, all from different parts of Oregon, all different ages, careers and backgrounds, all of them dealing with the physical and emotional scars of breast cancer, came to the retreat to heal and learn about fly fishing.
Out of respect for the women, I do not want to repeat all of the things they have been through, with their cancer, families, doctors, significant others, etc.. You can already imagine the fear one would feel and all the hardships one would have to face.
But there is a light. A wonderful, pink light. Together, those women had 67 years of survivorship. So as part of the staff, I felt that my duty was to celebrate them, and give them the gift of fly fishing I was given so long ago.
Do you remember the first time you caught a fish? Do you remember the first time you stepped into that river and forgot about everything? Do you remember the hope that fishing experience gave you?
I had seen all the pink CFR gear at all the sportsmen's shows, fly shops, etc. and at first glance, turned my nose up at the baby pink color they used. I thought to myself, "JUST BECAUSE WE ARE WOMEN DOESN'T MEAN WE WANT ALL OUR FISHING GEAR IN PINK!" and the feminist part of me was angered and annoyed in a way that they couldn't pick a green or blue, or some other color to represent women fly fishers.
The CFR retreat changed my whole perception of what the color pink represents. The 14 women, all from different parts of Oregon, all different ages, careers and backgrounds, all of them dealing with the physical and emotional scars of breast cancer, came to the retreat to heal and learn about fly fishing.
Out of respect for the women, I do not want to repeat all of the things they have been through, with their cancer, families, doctors, significant others, etc.. You can already imagine the fear one would feel and all the hardships one would have to face.
But there is a light. A wonderful, pink light. Together, those women had 67 years of survivorship. So as part of the staff, I felt that my duty was to celebrate them, and give them the gift of fly fishing I was given so long ago.
Do you remember the first time you caught a fish? Do you remember the first time you stepped into that river and forgot about everything? Do you remember the hope that fishing experience gave you?
The mile or so drive in the Big K Ranch in Elkton, Oregon was incredible. For confidentiality purposes, I cannot post pictures of the retreat, but I wanted to share this poem that the participants wrote for us and shared at the graduation ceremony before we parted ways:
"A Special thanks to the 'guides' of CFRYou've 'hooked' us on fly fishing at the Big K Ranch
Fun people & good times were a perfect match
We have 67 years of 'Reel' survivorship in this group
We ate, laughed, cried & negotiated plenty of horse poop!
Robin proved to be an amazing 'leader' who 'tied' us together
For this weekend of connection we will remember forever
President Lisa was instrumental in getting us here
And with her smile & warm welcome we knew we had nothing to fear
Whitney's bright smile & passion 'flowed' through the room
As she showed us the cool gear that we hope to own soon
Kelley taught us history and that 'Pez' were more than candy too...
And her ease and gracewith the rod is what we all strive to do
Judith taught us about mayfly's in an amazing bug talk
And took (we're sure) flattering pictures wherever we would walk
Katherine, our expert who showed us so much patience as we learned to cast
Rolling, back cast, who would have thought we would learn so fast?
Sherrill reminded us there is hope for our transformed bod's
Her stretching helped us make the most of casting those 'rods'
Joyce was the master of simplifying our knots with a smile
It was the only surgeon we want to see for a while!
Barb's gentle presence was calming and warm
A wonderful addition to the River Honey swarm
Lani was the hostess with the mostess greeting us with cheer
She is one of our sisterhood and our friendship we consider dear
Although we didn't all end up catching the big one yet...
Our 'fish tales' will include the numerous hits on yellow yarn you can bet!
We sincerely want to thank the Stone Fly Maidens before this weekend ends...
You made this Weekend Rock! And we are thankful to call you our new friends!
There is so much behind the color pink
Wow. Thanks angel.
ReplyDeleteI have been on both ends of CFR......being a breast cancer survivor, I was fortunate enough to attend the Missouri CFR retreat. The experiences and friendships that one makes at a retreat like that are just phenominal!! I will never forget the hope and strength that I took away from that weekend. Secondly, I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer; to watch the smiles, tears, hugs, etc. that I had experienced in the past and these women were experiencing in their journeys of breast cancer. I was a VERY lucky woman in that my wonderful husband of 30+ years was by my side every step of the way. Some of the women that I met were not so lucky. The staff, volunteers, and river keepers are a rare breed......some that know exactly what a woman is going thru with breast cancer; others that just have a genuine concern for their fellow man (or woman!!). My husband is now a river keeper volunteer...that experience has changed his outlook as well. To anyone that can......volunteer or attend.......it will change your life!! Happy Fishing!!
ReplyDeletePatricia Horn (3 year breast cancer survivor)
Patricia, Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I really enjoyed it. I am so glad you had a wonderful experience as a participant and a volunteer. It is also cool to hear from someone from Missouri! Happy Fishing to you too!
ReplyDeletePatricia, Thanks for sharing. Great to hear your experiences on both sides of CFR! Very Inspiring!
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