Growing Through Seasons: Life Updates from the Garden

It's been too long since I've shared what's growing in my corner of the world. Sometimes you get so busy tending the plants, you forget to step back and see how much the garden has actually flourished.

Big news: I just completed my first advanced practicum requirement for LMSW and I'm on track to graduate March 2026! 🎓 It feels like watching that first green shoot push through soil after weeks of watering what looked like empty dirt. All those late-night study sessions were just part of the germination process.

This year's garden has been a gorgeous disaster – bumper crops, volunteer plants sprouting everywhere, flowers putting on a show that would make botanical gardens jealous. The tomatoes basically took over half the yard. Sometimes the most beautiful things happen when you get out of the way and let life grow wildly.

I'm still growing baby houseplants for people graduating recovery programs. There's something perfect about handing someone a thriving plant as they step into their new life – a living reminder that growth happens slowly, care matters more than perfection, and even the smallest living thing can bring purpose to a space.

Real talk: not every day is sunshine. This year brought storms – relapses, mental health crises, and watching deserving people hit wall after wall accessing services they need. Financial barriers are like drought conditions, stunting growth just when someone's ready to flourish.

This reinforces why I'm passionate about Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). It's like teaching someone to read their own life's soil conditions – recognizing patterns and building foundations for sustainable growth.

I'm still pursuing horticultural therapy certification while juggling self-care, marriage, parenting, and our chaotic Frenchie babes (basically toddlers who never outgrow eating everything off the ground). Some days feel like watering the garden during a tornado.

But maybe balance isn't the goal – maybe it's companion planting. Finding ways for all these life aspects to support each other instead of competing for resources.

As we move into fall, I'm celebrating victories big and small, acknowledging challenges without letting them overshadow progress, and planning next season with hard-earned wisdom. To this community – whether you're tending your own recovery garden, supporting someone else's growth, or cheering from the sidelines – thank you. Your resilience inspires me daily. Keep growing, keep tending, and remember: even beautiful gardens have weeds. The magic isn't perfection; it's showing up season after season with love and hope.

With gratitude,

Heather 🌿