Hi-Story

I have a dream. It involves community and family, connection to the earth and the divine, sunshine and plants, good food, growth, healing, and joy. 

It all started with the old, abandoned drug store in a tiny little town I visited one Sunday. As I drove past the worn out store with cracked bricks and a faded sign I remember thinking, "That would be the perfect little shop for me. If it had more windows....and a greenhouse in the back." Moments later I had daydreamed myself the perfect little "drug" store complete with a backyard garden, a greenhouse, and the perfect location just off main street. My store had open windows and was filled with plants and books and little reading nooks. It had a tiny tea shop/cafe, and behind the register, a room for drying, distilling, and preserving herbs. I could picture friends and family and neighbors stopping by to read, drink tea, visit, share stories, and find community support as well as herbal advice. I pictured a place where strangers become friends and friends are family.

Unfortunately without an independent and inexhaustible supply of money my dream was basically impossible. I spent half a year telling myself it was a nice dream but that I needed to get back to reality. Then I spent a few weeks trying to forget my dream because it was getting too sad to be reminded that my dream would never come true. Then I tore my dream apart. I cut it back piece by piece (first the cafe, then the greenhouse, then the books) until I was staring at the beautiful truth. 

My dream wasn't a building or a business. It wasn't a location or even a greenhouse. 

It was an idea. 

The idea of community, of friendship, of family. 

Held

We're stronger together. You, me, the stranger on the bus, the child in the park. We're all different but I think we all need some encouragement, understanding, and love. We all need a place where it's safe to just be. And maybe, sometimes, somewhere to find answers and help. We all need a hug, someone to hold our hand, or hand us tissues while we cry, someone to laugh with us, celebrate, and share the moments. All the moments. 

I'll probably never end up building that store, but I finally realized that nothing's stopping me from being that person for everyone I meet. I can give a hug, I can celebrate, I can listen, I can offer help and perspective. Most importantly, I can love. 

I live an eclectic life. I enjoy a vibrant variety of hobbies. I've collected a rather unusual combination of certifications and skills. I'm a birth doula, a gardener, a teacher, a musician, an herbalist, a seamstress, a counselor, an artist, a mathematician, a beekeeper, an author, a friend. 

I do it all. I love it all. But through it all, what matters most to me is you. Yes, I love everything I do, but without you I would have no reason to keep doing it. I'm here for you. To support you. To love you. To rejoice with you. And to be grateful that you are my friend.