Susan’s morning workshop was highlighted by exercises in better understanding of the written words through listening, and organization our ideas before writing. The lessons were interspersed with sharing and support. The level of connection and understanding between the women in our space was deep and made the space safe and potent. Susan reminded us that even when we are busy with life as a mother of young kids, we have time to read and absorb a few lines of beautiful poetry, and that these words will stay with us and come back to us when we need them.

Mimi and Mary joined us for the afternoon workshop where we focused on the topic of journaling, and where we shared our experiences as writers and mothers. We were touched by Mimi and Mary’s respect of the event and our efforts, and their encouragement of us as mothers and writers.

We give abundant Thanks To Susan, Mary, and Mimi for inspiring, encouraging, and validating us in such a profound way. You touched us as women and writers.

Thanks to the Chicago area and Twin Cities Mamas who joined us Madison Mamas for the workshop. We appreciate the effort you made to come and participate. We have devoured your words in the zine and it was great to now have faces to put with your lovely words.

We are excited to hold another retreat in the future. Some ideas so far are a weekend farm retreat, a Twin Cities writing road trip, and a 4 hour weekend session with one leader. We appreciate that our participants took the time to provide us with great feedback and we look forward to the MLM writing retreat becoming a tradition.

Mimi left us some great advice. She told us that one of the best things we could do as people and writers was to “B. U.” Be honest and surround ourselves with a couple of people who can handle this honesty - no matter what we may say.

Amazing advice, for us personally, and as always, for our zine.

Thanks, The MLMs.