This group has been visiting sunriver for about 5 years now . . . we are all from the Tri-Cities and know each other through a common interest of paddling outrigger canoes . . . we are O’Hana . . . family. We are a varied group . . . ranging in age from mid 30’s to 60. . . some married, some single . . . some with families nearby, some without . . . but we all share one common thread that seems to go beyond all else . . . a love for the outdoors and for each other . . . We stayed in McNary #24 this year, Jan 28-31 and it was an amazing home. . . .life has many ups and downs, but through it all we are O’Hana. This was a particularly important year for me. It has been a difficult year for one relationship in the group . . . between myself and another .. . I was uncertain how the weekend would go . . . but hoped for the best . . .hoped that in the end, underneath the difficulties, we were still O’hana and that would, in the end, be the important element. I planned the weekend, as I always did, sending the emails, who’s in and who’s not . . . she’s in . . . that’s a good sign . . . I held my breath and hoped for the best . . . as we all arrived, I could feel the distance . . .unsettling at best . . . keep an open heart . . . let the weekend flow . . . we skied, cooked together, did a jigsaw puzzle, shopped, and as the weekend unfolded, we laughed together again . . . just like before . . . surrounded by O’hana in this beautiful surrounding, I saw a flicker of who we were . . . no miraculous reunion, life is rarely that simple, but a start maybe . . . a most treasured opportunity.
Laura C
