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Photo Album: |
Friday night |
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Saturday |
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Sunday morning |
Memory Book:
This was my first retreat and my first time meeting another with
TCS. I was so excited I could barely stand it. I arrived finally on
Friday morning at the retreat after having a 16 hour delay at the
airport. I checked in at the hotel exhausted and hungry. I walked
over to a nearby restaurant to have lunch. I sat alone in a secluded
corner eating and noticed a family sitting there having a wonderful
time. I looked at the young boy sitting there and almost gasped
aloud. He had TCS. I was so moved to finally see someone that
resembled myself, I sat there almost in tears. It was such an
overwhelming moment for me that I did not go over and introduce
myself but merely sat there fascinated. After a time, I left the restaurant, food barely touched and went back to my hotel room. There
I knelt on my knees and thanked God in Heaven for granting my
lifelong prayer. I got to meet the boy later that night at the
opening night festivities and many others like him and myself. I
have always had a spot in my heart that felt alone. Now that spot is
filled with love and gratitude for all the new friends I have made. I am looking forward to the next retreat because I know there must
be someone else out there like myself that has that feeling of
being alone and I can't wait to meet him or her and to tell them, as
so many others did to me at this gathering, that "you are not alone
anymore" Anita
Wow, what can I say. We joined the Treacher Group on Yahoo in
October 2001 when our daughter was born and have spoken to so many
wonderful people via the internet. We have shared stories and
pictures and received so much advice. Who ever thought that meeting
everyone in person would be so incredible. Well let me tell you, it
was. With Taryn being the youngest child at this year's gathering
we felt very special. You can not believe how wonderful it was to
have people coming up to us and commenting on how much she looked
like their child when they were young. It was great to see these
children as they have grown and matured. We shared many stories,
hugs and lots of advice. We learned a lot, but even more than that;
we shared in a wonderful memory that will last a lifetime and
everyone will be in our hearts for a long time. I can not begin to
explain the feeling of walking into a room and immediately feeling
like you belong. Because we all had a common connection, it was
like a family getting together for a reunion, of course, for some
who had already met, that is exactly what it was. I returned home
and tried to explain to our family and friends exactly what it felt
like to watch Katie and Eve playing with Taryn, or to see her nose
to nose with Melissa or even to see her hugging Jessie. People look
at the photos and say "wow, do they ever look alike." I look at our
photos and instantly smile. I listen to the song "What if She's an
Angel" and know that each of those kids are. There is a line in
that song that goes like this..."What if she's an angel, sent here
from heaven, and she's making certain that you're doing your best,
to take the time to help one another"...All I can say is...What A
Group
Tamara Prince
I can say that this last retreat was a lot of fun. It was
fun catching up with friends that we met the year before in New
York...it was fun to talk. The morning
was great. I have a confession to make, though. Since
I'm only 14, I wasn't at the meetings, I was outside. But, my
parents said that the meetings were very educational. During
the time span between the meetings and dinner, we went into the city
of Baltimore. The inner harbor was fun. There was
shopping and a ship and an aquarium and much more. It was fun
just walking around for a while. The dinner was great!
The food, YUM!!!!!! Then here comes the dance. That was
fun. The music had a nice dance beats and the DJ was fabulous.
The bird guy was cool. It was fun to get your picture taken
with the birds. The dancing was a lot of fun. Then,
Sunday was great. It was sad to say goodbye to everyone.
But, you got that feeling that they may be back again. I can
tell you that I was crying when I had to say goodbye to the people.
I can say that this was a great trip and I can't wait until next
year. I love you all!!!!!!!!
Denise Maloof
