Heather
A New England transplant, I miss both my family of origin and the New England landscape. I also love the Pacific Northwest, where I have lived for the last 30 plus years, and the family of choice I created in the Northwest.
I am the youngest of four siblings, have two nieces, three nephews and two grandnieces. I am saddest about being so far away from the oldest and youngest members of the family: my mother and grandnieces.
I think every single person needs a family of choice and I am blessed by mine: it includes a wide array of people from different contexts including a nuclear family in Olympia of which I am an adopted “something-or-other” (I have resisted the word “aunt”). My family of choice has recently expanded to include many of my neighbors and friends at cohousing. I am particularly grateful for the intergenerational diversity.
I distinctly remember that at one point I used to love to hike, camp, contra-dance, sing, and cross-country ski, but I can’t claim to have done much of any of them in the last 10 years. I have spent much of my annual and sick leave helping to care for my now-deceased father who had dementia and planning co-housing (Woodard Lane was try number two for me). So much so, in fact, that some of my family of friends are close to disowning me. I trust I will get back to book club, Friends Meeting (Quakers), dancing, singing, hiking, and if not back-packing and snow-camping, then at least car-camping.
I am sustained by my connection to the natural world, by learning, by singing, and by physical work (I love to dig). Belonging and connection are really important to me, but I often struggle to figure out how to contribute effectively. This continues to be true in cohousing as it has been true in other arenas of my life. I keep trying.
Peak experiences include fighting fire – especially back burning at night, teaching natural history, telemarking and snow camping during a NOLS course in the Winds (well actually in a lot of places), and many weeks of childhood bliss at Star Island in New Hampshire.
I used to be frugal once, but then I bought this condo ….. I still ride my bike, the bus, don’t own a car and don’t have much stuff. I’m one of the forces for sharing at Woodard Lane and am found at most garden and landscape parties. You’ll find me in the vegetable garden next year if I’m not working, sculling, playing with the neighbor kids, or working on my not-yet-finished home. As I close, Mila, the cat who owned my pre-Woodard Lane house, curls up on the bed and reminds me that she is number one in my life. It’s true: she is.
Last updated: June, 2009
