Every so often I talk about storytelling, and how telling your story, even if it’s just to one person, can heal. I often get such amazing and loving feedback from readers who reach out and want to share their story. I read every one, and feel so GRATEFUL about the impact this blog and this journey have had on my life and how it has helped many of you.

I wanted to share one particular part of my story from the recent past. It was a year that gave me so many blessings and lessons. It was not without great sadness, but there were constant reminders how love moves mountains.  

We can overlook how many blessings there are that we don’t see or appreciate each and every day. We forget how much power there is around having a vision and expecting miracles. We get bogged down in the day to day, leaning much too far into the negative about what we don’t have, instead of vibrating in the abundance of life itself.

Love and creativity are beautifully intertwined.  In order to create anything, you have to come from love.  Over the summer of 2017, the miracle of renovating our 1835 farmhouse came to fruition. After months of designing and planning and literally loving and laboring it into being, it happened, And when my daughter came home from college after we had just moved back in, she said, ”Mom, you can feel the love in this house.”

Another part of my vision board that year was getting to work for one of my heroes in the entertainment world – Oprah! Within months, I got the call. I had the opportunity to do some development work on a project I was very passionate about.

Right before our renovation, tragedy struck. We lost our beloved dog Tommy. It was terribly sudden. He was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma, a cancer of the blood vessels. Taking him to the vet that day, we never imagined we’d be saying goodbye just a few hours later. No symptoms until that morning, then suddenly, there was nothing to be done. We knew we had to wait until after we moved back into our home to even think about getting another pup, and my husband was pretty resistant about it. In his mind, too much work, tough when our schedules get crazy, less freedom. Eventually, our family realized we were missing the love of a beautiful pet, and right before February 2018 we brought home a beautiful mini golden doodle. We named her Ellie. She is such a beautiful reminder of love and joy, and what being present is all about. 

So on this day…a day that celebrates love and connection, I’m reconnecting with the blessings and expressions of love that are always within reach. I look around my home that was renovated and designed with love, at the beautiful playful ball of fur that sleeps beneath my feet, at the thank you email from my client who has, on more than one occasion acknowledged my work and thanked me for delivering great work, at the morning conversation with my husband and my 29+  years of marriage.  He is there for me each and every day, and my two kids who support my work and love me no matter what. And last but should never be least, I embrace the body I have right now, not yet the size 6 or 8 that I envision, but the one that nevertheless carries me through each and every day. Whatever fear or head games I get caught up in, the truth is, I can have that vision too. And like everything I’ve ever cherished, it will take work and persistence and consistency and LOVE.

Thank you for being on this journey with me. My wish for you on this day of love, is not roses or chocolates, but that you look around you, and count the blessings and accomplishments. Breathe in and celebrate where you are. You deserve to be in the light, to quite literally be luminous.