September 15, 2022

The Full Harvest Moon was just the other day and every year when she comes around, I try to take some time to look back at what I’ve planted and think about how I will harvest and preserve it for future use. I think we are all a little raw and hesitant as we venture back into life after the past couple of years, but I see the effort and reward in tending to what we’ve planted. Whether they were the seeds of ideas and dreams, the sprouts of new endeavors, or the flowers of friendships that have lain dormant during times of stress and survival, the Harvest Moon gives us permission to look back upon and gather this bounty, to give thanks for what we worked so hard to achieve, and to preserve the lessons for planting again in the future.

The Harvest Moon brought the opportunity for me to reflect upon this past year. And what a full and fulfilling year it was! Nearly one full year of existing in the shop space. Nearly one full year of working towards making it a space of refuge and calm and welcome for everyone who chooses to walk through the door. It’s been almost one full year of discovering what I’m truly capable of and reflecting on the fact that I wouldn’t have had this year without lots of help from family, friends, and community.

This community has filled my cup more than I could have ever imagined. My intention has always been to utilize the shop as a space of service to others, but I didn’t realize how much joy and love I would receive in exchange. Last month, we were awarded a Silver Medal by the Tri-Cities Best in the category of “Best Place to Buy a Gift”. To say I was floored, is an understatement and to know that I was given this honor because you, all of you, voted for the shop, is overwhelming and leaves me without words but bursting with gratitude.

With all of this in mind, I believe that we never truly learn everything we need to know. Like the Moon and the Seasons, we are always moving, growing, learning, resting, and repeating the cycle again. It is comforting to me to know that we are together in this wheel of Seasons and we are all along for the ride. It’s what we take from it and what we pass on that matters. For this, I am grateful.

If you know me at all, you know that music is one of my favorite things and that there is music playing all the time at my home and at the shop. So, as a little treat for reading all the way to the end of my email, here is a cozy September Spotify Playlist I curated to help you get into a fall mood.

Seasonal Shifts