Sunshine Cottage provides natural refuge for pilgrims
Sunshine Cottage in Red River Country, Texas. Image credit: Karen Hoffman
An oak tree stands deeply rooted on the back of some property in Red River County, Texas. Two of its drooping limbs serve as a reminder that living through seasons year after year can bring exterior imperfections but the circles within its trunk reveal its age and some might say its wisdom.
Nearby forest service professionals recommended keeping the ailing branches connected to the tree. Cutting and removing the limbs could cause disease.
According to local officials, this old arbor is more than 350 years old and offers more than just beauty and shade to its current human companions but an invitation for space, for wondering, for connection.
Enjoying the ancestry of the land
“I have a longing to research what was going on 300 years ago in the country and in this part of Texas,” says Landowner Arva Tatman. “The tree is very special. I am really hoping to create a space near and around the tree to connect with the history and to enjoy the ancestry of the land.”
Tatman grew up in Iowa and lived on a farm until she was just six months old right before her family moved into town. With cousins, aunts and uncles living on nearby farms, she was still able to spend much of her childhood enjoying time on their land.
She always felt close to God out in nature.
While being with and on the land is part of her, it wasn’t until later in life that her love of nature and getting out of the city became more consistently part of her story once again.
When Tatman’s husband Pete died in March 2020, the timing was right and her long-time dream of establishing a connection with land “out in the country” became reality. It gave new purpose, some clarity and new companionship as she connected with nature and worked with her family as, together, they stepped into something both familiar and unfamiliar all at the same time.
It was time to get back to some of her roots and see a vision fulfilled.
“My son Denver and his wife Marla had been living with me at our house in Richardson to help care for Pete. We had all wanted a farm for a long time. Right in the middle of the pandemic after my husband died the time had come for it to become a reality. We didn’t know exactly what to expect and that was scary but the desire to connect with the land lead us forward to something new.”
Tatman says she has dreamed of offering a place for others to get away from life’s busyness for years. Some of that dream began to manifest in 2010 when she and her husband downside to a home in Richardson. The home has a gazebo in the backyard and overlooks a creek. While it provided and still provides her space for contemplation, life at that time didn’t quite align as the right opening for her dream of inviting others to enjoy the space. Tatman sort of laughs as she admits that a lot of folks were wanting to become farmers during the pandemic, but her son and daughter-in-law had been cultivating the desire and knowledge of growing produce for several years.
She and her children purchased 10 acres of land shortly after her husband’s death naming it after him - Pete’s Paradise. Located about two and half hours northeast of Dallas between Paris and Mount Pleasant, the property includes two houses - one where her son and daughter-in-law live and another smaller, more recently completed home - Sunshine Cottage.
“My daughter was taken by the way the sunlight streams through the trees when sitting on the porch at the house, especially the sunsets,” Tatman says. “The name Sunshine Cottage was born.”
Throughout the past three years, Tatman, with the help of her children, has spent time furnishing the cottage with cozy pieces. Fittingly, she painted both the inside and outside of the home yellow with a few pops of turquoise throughout - a color symbolizing wisdom, self-actualization and unlocking creative energies. The three-bedroom house comfortably sleeps seven (for those willing to share a bed), and there’s a large sunroom in the back of the house with a futon for those seeking extra light.
So far Sunshine Cottage has served as a place for family gathering, holidays and a personal retreat space for Tatman and family. Part of Pete’s Paradise also includes a small organic farm managed by Denver and Marla where, depending on the season, they grow and harvest local produce including lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, greens, beets, peas, tomatoes, peppers, okra, kolorabi, squash and melons.
The chickens now live on the neighbor’s property and they’re cared for by them as well. The birds were a lot to manage. The current setup is sort of the best of both worlds - the Tatmans can still enjoy the eggs without the hassle of too much tending. During growing season, Denver and Marla bring produce into town (Richardson) on Thursdays for pickup from 4 to 7 p.m. In August 2022, Arva’s son had a heart attack and five bypass surgeries. The farm has been a great place to recover but some of the growing slowed as he made room to heal his body.
Going forward, Denver and Marla plan to get back to growing more, and Arva plans to open up Sunshine Cottage for others to enjoy a day or overnight personal retreat.
“This part of Texas and the land has been a bright connection to God during a somewhat dark time. Here, there is space to enjoy solitude and nature. It is very healing, and I want to share that with others.”
Questions for reflection:
The 253-year-old oak tree on Arva’s property has drooping limbs, but the forest industry recommended not removing them. Removing the ailing branches could cause the tree to die. What part of you feels droopy? What would it be like to thank the droopy parts for being part of you? How do they keep you alive?
Is there a dream the Divine has given you but it doesn’t seem like its been able to come into being yet? If so, name it, and thank God for that dream. Begin to wonder how that dreams wants you to tend to it.
May Holy Love bless your time of wondering. Amen.
To learn more about Sunshine Cottage, you can listen to our podcast interview with Arva by joining Retreat House’s online platform Circle. Email Lil for access and to learn more.
"I had the unique opportunity to be among the first guests to visit and stay at Sunshine Cottage and I cannot tell you how excited I am about returning sometime soon! From the moment you turn into the driveway, you feel like you're in a world far away from the DFW area we live in. The farm itself is definitely a working farm - we had a salad made from beautiful, velvety lettuce that had been harvested that morning!
The cottage itself is charming and warm - very welcoming in every way. With all the amenities you'd want when on retreat, Arva and the Tatman family have thought of everything. The grounds outside the cottage have a gorgeous old White Oak tree that has so much charm. And the surrounding sounds of birds in mid-winter were a welcome respite from cars and trucks. There are books to lean into, spaces to watch the stars or the sun or the moon at any given time of day. And it's all within 2.5 hours of North Dallas!”
~ Karen Hoffman, Mindful Living Guide, Retreat House board member and partner
Arva Tatman is a trained spiritual director and longtime friend and covenant partner of Retreat House Spirituality Center. She is also the proprietor of Sunshine Cottage, an overnight retreat space in Red River County, Texas. To inquire about spending time at the cottage and/or on the land, email Arva or contact her via phone at 214.395.4826. Follow Pete’s Paradise on Instagram.
“Getting away from the noise and busyness of the city is vital to connecting with creation. Sunshine Cottage was created with love for all who enjoy her hospitality.” ~ Lil Smith
This article was written by Emily Turner Watson. She is a trained spiritual director, writer, and partner of Retreat House Spirituality Center. Send her a note!