A Healing Dove
A Healing Dove
This story is dedicated to those battling life-threatening illnesses and the special people who offer care, love, and support.
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
Unknown
In 2016 Alex Dove was just entering the first chapter of adulthood. A student at University of Wisconsin in Whitewater, Alex had his sights set on a career in Business Management and Accounting when he was grievously diagnosed with brain cancer.
Countless surgeries and never-ending chemotherapy and radiation treatments affected not only his physical being, but his mental and spiritual being as well. And not just him, but the people around him. Remarkably though, Alex always found a way to stay positive through it all.
Even as the disease was holding on tighter than ever, Alex was selflessly thinking about his family and the families of others who were also enduring life-threatening illnesses. He knew that his fight was not his alone. That the illness afflicted his entire orbit of friends and family, and that there is very little recognition, or relief, for the caregiver. That there is no place where someone takes care of the caregiver.
So, in 2019, before Alex lost his battle with cancer, the Alex C. Dove Foundation was established in his memory and his wish to offer support to others who are suffering, as he and his family had. The cornerstone of the foundation, and the first of its kind in the Midwest, is a gracious respite retreat so aptly named, Dove’s Nest.
Dove’s Nest is a rustic cabin located on beautiful Lake Camelot in Rome, Wisconsin. The cabin, adorned with all the usual “lake life” accoutrements, is a place to forget about all of life’s overwhelming struggles. A place to get away, as Alex wished, with family and friends and simply enjoy the moment.
That’s it. No doctors. No tests. No treatments. Just a wonderful relaxing week on a beautiful lake in central Wisconsin. And it’s all yours to enjoy, at no charge!
That’s right, it’s free. Totally free!
The cabin is ridiculously cozy. Kick back with a good book on an overstuffed chair. Watch a movie on one of the many TVs throughout the cabin. Or play a board game, piece together a puzzle, challenge someone at foosball, or shoot baskets on a mini hoop in the game room.
Better yet, just take a nap. No one’s judging.
Soon enough, you’ll be lured by the pontoon boat tied to the dock, as eager as you are to push off and take a lap around the lake. If you’ve never done it before, you’ll soon discover that cruising on the water, with the warm sun on your face, is one of the best ways to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit.
When the weather turns, as it’s known to do in Wisconsin, you can snowshoe on the frozen lake, or maybe try your hand at ice fishing. When done, grab the graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate, and marshmallows and over-indulge on way-too-many s’mores by the campfire in the back yard.
Again, no one’s judging.
Chances are, you won’t want to stray too far from Dove’s Nest, but just so you know, there’s a ton of stuff to do in and around Rome. Like playing golf on world-class courses, getting dirty at a dedicated off-road ATV and motorcycle park, shopping at one-of-a-kind gift shops, fat tire biking, even ski jumping if you’re gutsy enough to try it. And there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants and pubs too.
Whether you stay in or venture out, the only thing that matters is that you find time for personal peace, tranquility, and self-care. Goodness knows, you deserve it.
And Alex would definitely approve.
Learn all about the Alex C. Foundation here.
Discover ways to donate or volunteer here.
Find out how you and your loved ones can reserve your stay at Dove’s Nest here.
Take a 3D tour of the cabin here.
Explore Rome, Wisconsin here.
Written By: Lydell Capritta
