Our last day of our NSB LPHOH 2015 Retreat kicked off with family photos at Lighthouse Point Park. Thank you to Gabe Fernandez for capturing such beautiful shots of the retreat families. We’ll include our snapshots for the blog. It was a wonderful sunny morning with amazing photo backdrop choices including the lighthouse, the beach and boardwalks through the dunes.

After photos we had an informative tour by John (in his lighthouse innkeeper outfit) and Jackie of the grounds at Ponce De Leon Lighthouse. We learned a lot of history of the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Many of us climbed the 203 steps up to the top of this lighthouse to see the amazing views of Ponce Inlet and looking south to New Smyrna Beach. Even our youngest 4 year old adventurers climbed. Lunch was graciously donated by Inlet Harbor Restaurant.

For the evening we all met at Ocean Walk Clubhouse for our last dinner together after an incredible week. While we were supposed to meet on the beach to grill out and for a bonfire, due to winds on the beach we gathered at the Clubhouse. Thank you to donations from Dustin’s BBQ, Aldi’s in Sanford and Charles’ talented grilling skills we enjoyed a nice dinner. In lieu of s’mores by the bonfire, we all enjoyed a treat from our sundae bar. VolunStars Grady, Amanda, Bert and Charles entertained us with songs accompanied by guitar and spoons as if we were sitting around a bonfire. Later in the evening, VolunStars were deeply touched by the families unexpected thoughtful gifts and words of appreciation. Below we are sharing a quote from one of our retreat families.

“Elizabeth and I cannot thank LPHOH enough for this week. We have been able to make a heartfelt connection with others who are on the same journey as ourselves. Just the act of sharing our story with our new friends is so therapeutic. Until one has experienced cancer as a patient or a caregiver it is difficult to comprehend the depth of the physical and emotional pain associated with such a diagnosis. The true value of this retreat is in the act of meeting people like ourselves, people who never asked to become members of such an exclusive “club”. This trip has helped us both understand that we are not alone in this battle.”
We will all very much cherish the special memories and the friendships that formed throughout this week.