So, it’s been a year…we are all hoping and praying that this Spring and Summer will feel a bit more enjoyable than last year – Ok, make that A Lot more enjoyable! Today, as I sit in my basement office, the same place I was a year ago, I am filled with gratitude for what has been opened up to me during this pandemic. It hasn’t happened by chance and it hasn’t happened without sleepless nights, a few tears, and a lot of effort; but, sometimes we need to be pushed in order to reach our potential and I am so excited to look back and see what I have been able to accomplish! Today, I am back on call again. This time for a baby who will be born many miles away, but will be the 3rd baby I’ve supported this family to welcome. There are no words that exist to express how grateful I am for this privilege. Reviewing my pandemic blog posts, I am so enormously appreciative of all of the support and love everyone has shared with me and it is to you all that I owe my gratitude for the accomplishments I have made.

I now have an amazing doula partner and podcast host who has been a tremendous friend and support for me as I faced some really tough decisions and challenges since this pandemic began:

Our podcast, Doula2Doula, was born because I was craving conversation with a like-minded person, believed that what we had meaningful things to say, and because (as a podcast addict myself) I know the power that can come from listening to a podcast episode that touches something important in your own life. Now, in just a couple of weeks, we are going to be celebrating our 1-year Podcast Anniversary!!! 🎊🎉 We’ve enjoyed creating 18 episodes and are looking forward to our 2nd year!

I started a Private Facebook Group to help support, educate, and bring together people who are experiencing the special life-changing season of pregnancy, birth, and raising littles. That group is still in its infancy, but I’m hoping to grow it to become a gathering place for many who seek non-judgmental support and camaraderie as they face all the things that accompany pregnancy, birth, and raising littles.

I’ve taken a 2nd job as a Trainer on the education team at Childbirth International which has been one of the most humbling and gratifying experiences I’ve had so far in 2021! It’s challenging me in ways that I haven’t been in years and I am so honored to be part of this incredible organization.

Lastly, I have made this announcement on my social media several times already this year, but I am so thrilled to say that Tranquil Touch Birth & Women’s Wellness is a proud Partner with Be Her Village, the Revolutionary Gift Registry that will truly change lives and create a positive impact on the birth-givers and expectant parents who create a registry of support. Instead of, or in addition to, asking friends and family to buy “stuff” to welcome a new baby, a birth-giver or expectant parent can create a registry on Be Her Village that will allow their loved ones to contribute funds that will enable them to afford the services of professionals in all different fields to provide them with the support that will make this life-changing time a smoother, more joyous occasion. Recently, Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village, was one of the 10 winners out of thousands of applicants to receive an NPR 2021 How I Built This Fellowship. Check out Kaitlin’s video entry:

And now, in closing, I invite you to watch our March interview (Doula2Doula episode 16 – A Revolution of Support) with our fearless leader & unofficial “Queen of the World” – Kaitlin McGreyes and our amazing Detroit Connector – Jess Duffy. Then, if you are expecting, please go to our page on Be Her Village to create your support registry and add one or more of our services so that your friends and family can help make your baby’s grand entrance into your family an empowering and positive experience. If you are not expecting, but you know someone who has, please point them in the same direction.