At the end of 2006 I found myself pregnant and unmarried, not living with my boyfriend at the time. Which was all fine . . . But during my pregnancy (my first) I found that I was more than ever drawn towards living a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle. I was drawn to a place called The Birth Connection.
We were looking for alternatives to birthing in a hospital and although we ended up giving birth in a hospital I had found my tribe.
I met Christy Funk who had opened up a shop called Belly Sprout in conjunction with The Birth Connection. She gave me hope, strength and all the things I needed at this very specail junction in my life.
After I gave birth to my daughter I quit my job at a health food store . . . I couldn't bear leaving my new child with a virtual stranger. Even though I had no idea what I was gonna do for money or as a mother. I once again found Christy in here new location and she hired me on very part time and the best part . . . Zea (my daughter) could come with me. It was great to be working in the only cloth diapering, natural parenting store in out area!
It was great to network and work in a place where my passions were nutured and encouraged to find a place within in their world and the world at large.
Shortly there after I joined the board of their new non-profit organization called Bloom OC. I tried on many different hats and now, after much searching I've rediscovered how much I love writing and reading. Christy and I have just launched our first issue of a natural parenting newsletter and are working on all kinds of creative projects. Our space is drawing lots of positive vibes, great speakers and the like. And I can completely be myself, I've never had that kind of opportunity before and I feel so blessed to have found it now.
Light & Love,
Marlha

Right now I'm on this kick where I'm trying to draw people closer to one another and bring about a realization that we are one and that the minor differences of of our beliefs shouldn't seperate us. We should be gleaning whatever we can find useful from the people and experiences that surround us . . . maybe then we can live sustainable and peacefully.