Joy Right Here

I love this poem and where the conversation takes us! I've been talking about infertility + healing so much on the podcast recently and I am so glad to be in a place where I can share my suffering so personally with you. I learned along the way that pain is pain and while mine may have been infertility, yours may be something else. . .but we are on common ground nonetheless. We are feeling so much the same. That's a powerful uniter! So, this episode is just so encouraging for that story or season you're living that's just awful. You have started this chapter in your life with hope whether or not you feel it today. -S.V.F.

First episode in our poetry series! The conversation got way more personal than I expected, but I love when conversations can take us there.❤ I share my poem "Redundant" and we talk about how it's a bit of gardener's victory song, but we also talk about my years of infertility and how EVEN THERE life was irrepressible!❤

Taking you back to the garden and talking about the sunflower bed that isn't, where the miracle began, where life has expanded even if it isn't doing so in my garden this year. It's been a discouraging bout for sure. AND YET. I have been surprised by the life that has still expanded. This is the irrepressible way of the garden. I love having these chats with you.❤

I take you on a short garden walk, because ROOSTER!🤣 And then I just talk about how I'm learning to not be so frantic and my desire to just slow down. . .the podcast, my motherhood, all those daily things are going to need tending again and and again. Which is SO GOOD. Why don't I just slow down and enjoy the process? I'm learning! This is definitely a laid-back conversation and I get a little repetitive, but that's human and this podcast show is a person not a production. Getting back into the swing of things slow & sure! Talk to ya soon.😄 And also wait till the very end after the Outro music! Did you laugh?!

Here we gooooo! Surprise podcast episode even for me!😆 I talk about the last few months. What I'm working on, resting from, hoping for, and excited about! And then we just enjoy the burst of creativity God has given each of us. What's yours?? Music? Painting? Writing? Organizing? Building? Go enjoy that burst of creativity you just can't get enough of! Mine is writing poetry, of course. You can find my first full book of poetry, Hope Gives a Eulogy, on Amazon.⭐ I am planning another book giveaway soon.🎉 People are enjoying the poetry and some are reading the whole book in *one* sitting. How neat! Talk to ya soon(ish, I hope😉)

I have waited so long to tell you this. Can BARELY hold it in any longer! I've been working on this since last spring, but it's been a story I have lived long before that. So, here it is. This is HUGE!! [This episode's distractions include but are not limited to: myself out of breath, sound of wind, train of thought crashing, birds & wind chimes(☺)]

LETS TALK ABOUT THE BIRTH STORY! I saved the best for last. Pizza, curvy roads(😖), the Mask (😫), the tears (😭), and LAUGHTER (😆) all make their way in our final episode of the series. At one point, I mention labor being discouragingly early, but I MUST SAY, I was so happy things were *finally* moving. So, let's be clear on that.😁 I did have gentle pain reliever before the epidural, but the epidural was the hardest decision to make during the process, BUT SO WORTH IT. More on that in the episode! Also, didn't mention the first cup of coffee after labor which my husband and I practically cried over on the first morning after labor. IT WAS LIKE THE DEW OF HEAVEN. Best cup of coffee in 2020.👏So, here we goooo!! (The Content in this episode is my *personal* birth experience, does not take away from your birth story, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding birth, postpartum, or any other medical condition.)

This year has brought us a lot of unexpected things, mostly awful, but there have ALSO been some good surprises. Some great UN-expectations, some things we wouldn't trade back in if we could. Today, I'm telling you the story about my writing poetry again after years of ignoring it. To tell the story accurately, we've got to go all the way back to when I was a kid where it all began.

I also share a pretty important poem that I wrote in spring 2020. It's good to talk about the good stuff, and that's exactly what we're going to do on this Monday. Welcome back!

THE GARDEN! I do not believe this would even exist without the pandemic or our camp-wide quarantine! It may have happened EVENTUALLY, but it would not have happened this soon, and it most certainly would not be as delightful and surprising as it was and is (minus the deer, rabbits, and ground squirrles, heheeee). Today, our chat on the porch is all about saying yes to where we are with what we have. It's about the enjoyment that happens when we do say yes. I

 get distracted by the beautiful outdoors. I'm a little scatter-brained, but the wind-chimes make music and it's just so good to talk about the good stuff. Here's another story highlight from 2020!

We chat honestly about how Thanksgiving felt (or didn't) and the practical thing we can do this holiday season which will help us celebrate more freely & fully! This episode is a mixture of lighthearted life + the honest way we can approach this holiday season. While this conversation wasn't a planned part of this podcast season, I think it's what we need to hear. Plus we walk in the garden and take a FUN goat tour. Which just feels like life in all the best ways. Happy Monday!