Waking Up In Ojai

It's a slow awakening. Not groggy, just unhurried. The kids are still asleep, recovering from a day of nonstop swimmingjumpingdancingsquirt-gunning joy. Outside, a few of the not-so-youngsters are sitting poolside together, enjoying the still morning in the midst of a gleaming scatter of overturned animal floaties. The shark and the flamingo seem to have spent the night spooning behind a bush; the shark looks ashamed.

As the abandoned inflatables drift lazily in the water and begin to warm in the rising sun, so does the conversation, quickly regaining the earnest glow from right where it was left the night before. These humans have so much to learn from each other, so much to share. Their kids have so much playing to do together, so much growing. The amount of love contained in this little hotel is staggering to consider. To truly feel a part of this family, in this moment, in this place; safe, removed, yet not remote; connected to one another in this hidden pocket of light, can melt your fears. Not a worry is felt, not a moment is wasted.

To our dear friends who shared the Flashbash experience last weekend at the Ojai Rancho Inn, thank you so much for opening your hearts and being a family with us. Rest assured, the Ojai Flashbash will definitely strike again next year and many after.

To our extended family, we implore you to take the initiative to do this on your own. We know that this love is not always inherent in the biological concept of family; we are family not because DNA dictates it, but rather because we choose to be.

So we ask you, take the time to gather in a safe place where you can share your true selves. Allow your burdens to be shared and your hearts to be lightened. Allow your ideas to be shared and your minds to be sharpened. Allow the love you have felt to reflect onto others.

Choose to be family.

Forever grateful,
Whitney Kent Chamberlin