Posted 1/11/2013 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
For those wondering, here's an earlier description of the event:
GFMPH Weekends- Good For Men's Prostate Health Weekends, have evolved into a twice yearly gathering of members of Healing Well Prostate Cancer Forum and their wives, girlfriends, spouses and significant others in their life. These weekend events take place at the hosting members homes. They open their homes to us for the weekend and people who wish can claim a spare bedroom, couch, corner of the floor, or other areas to sleep. Some attendee's will wish to stay in nearby motels and drive back and forth each day. Others bring their RV's and campers , and set up in the driveway or back yard, or just a sleeping bag for a spot in the garage, barn or other area, . Water and usually 110v. power is provided. Those staying at the hosts home have access to toilets, showers and all the food you can wish. Breakfast in some form is always available, as is lunch and dinner. It may be cooked there or we may run out to a nearby resturant for a bite, but no one goes hungry. Friday nights are usually dinner out for the guys and their wives, etc. Saturday afternoon is a group meal with all attendees and their wives,(if they get back from their touring and shopping in time) etc, usually a meal of the traditional regional foods of the area. Abundant food and drink, (both alcoholic and non)- will be available, with many bringing favorites from their regions to share. Some fly in and rent cars, some are picked up at the airport or drive from their homes. So far, the weekends have been hosted by the Jeff's- Cajun Jeff in Baton Rouge in the spring and Worried Guy Jeff in Rochester, NY in the fall. Hopefully other members can volunteer to host in the future, if they have the room, place of privacy and tolerant neighbors. Always looking for a new place to go. The only cost is your travel to get there and back, your meals if the group goes out to eat, and any lodging costs at a motel. It is customary to pass the hat at some point for people to voluntarily contribute to help with some of the expenses of the hosting couple.
The purpose of GFMPH is to meet and spend the weekend with people who are sharing a common bond- prostate cancer - with members who are in various stages of their journey. The weekend is spent is eating, laughing, sharing, making fast friends with complete strangers, sorta a longer version of speed dating. Late night conversations are normal, sharing life stories, jokes, and concerns all take place. This is a time to laugh, learn, even cry- to spend time with people who do understand and who aren't judging or uncomfortable talking with you or in front of others of their situations, concerns, fears and hopes. There's always someone willing to answer any questions you may have, no matter how personal or 'delicate' they are.
Wives, GF's, SO's , etc. usually spend parts of Friday, Saturday and possibly Sunday with the hosts wife, off to their selves, doing their own thing with shopping, tours, etc. Each sex has ample time to be with others of their own in privacy for any needed girl/guy talk.
The dates are usually the third weekend or so in April and the last weekend in September. The 'official' dates are Friday through Sunday. Some come early, arriving Thursday and some stay longer, leaving Mondays.
The best thing about GFMPH weekends is the feeling of belonging, sharing and ,yes-even love- that develops among attendees- the bonds of brotherhood formed and experiences shared. Attendance at these weekends continue to grow, but there's always room for one or two more, so plan to attend one next time. You'll return home richly rewarded, probably with several best friends forever, and eagerly looking forward to the next.