This Mother's Day, I'm working with Clever Girls in support of Macy's Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the "trade, not aid" program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.

 ev·o·lu·tion

  a. The process of developing.

  b. Gradual development.

     When partnering with Clever Girls to promote Heart of Haiti I was asked to share a poignant story about mothers. My mind has been running miles around this post. To describe mothers for me is a complex process. I am a step daughter, daughter, adopted daughter, a step mother and a natural mother...

     Ten years ago if you had shown me the picture above of my beautiful mother holding sweet baby K while my adoring kid sister looked on I would have never believed myself to be a part of such happiness. Life was not easy for me as a child. Life was not easy for my mother...

 Heartbreak was a constant companion, and I would often wonder why it was so hard. Why was life so painful? From a very early age my outlook on life was bleak...

    At a very tender age I was received with open arms into the family of my best friend. I would grow and thrive under the unconditional love that was given to me. This difficult transition would prove to be the building blocks of my adult life. A painful yet life changing transition that made me the woman I am today...


     Married and facing divorce by the age of twenty three will leave a young woman's mind in a spin. Lost and bewildered I made plenty of mistakes. (Mistakes that I would make all over again, as they were instrumental in the process of becoming me.) At the worst possible time a pink plus sign would change and save my life...

 

    The prospect of becoming a mother frightened me to no avail...and as I would soon figure out, I was on my own. Becoming a mother is a life changing event on its own. Becoming a single mother is indescribable...


    I often still to this day think back and try to summon the strength and courage I had back then. The courage I had to survive. Just me and my sweet baby. I went back to work within weeks of her birth despite my own health. 


    I had changed. Something clicked inside of me and the world no longer revolved around  me or my sadness. I had this little precious person whom depended on me. To feed her I missed her first steps. To clothe her I did not hear with my own heart her first word... Thankfully at this time my mother and I had slowly begun gathering the pieces needed to repair what we had lost. And lost without her I would have been...


   The world was slowly coming into focus for the first time in my life. My heart re opened and I was new. Becoming a mother... becoming her mother, changed me heart and soul...

    All around me life was evolving

    While I do not know the devastation of natural earth shaking causes. I have not suffered the Earth's wrath and pray for my family's safety if and when that day comes. I have suffered devastating heartbreak. I have wandered aimlessly waiting for the pieces to fall into place, praying for a miracle. It was with a whole heart that I became a part of this campaign. Playing a small part in the rebuilding of Haiti. I am proud to share this token of change this Mother's day!

      
    Happily my life is still evolving and it is a process of beauty. Life is coming full circle and I am able to understand the course my life has taken. The road of heartaches has lead me to a most wonderful place. Because of enduring hardship I am instrumental in the life of my step child. I learned how to love unconditionally I have become strong. My heart is healed and I have forgiven...

    An amazing man took a chance on this tattered woman's heart and when we welcomed our precious baby girl into the world it was with joy and elation!

    My relationship with my mother has evolved into a trusting and heartfelt connection, as she too has come full circle. Evolving her own heart and soul... I can never put into words and seldom try to phrase my emotions, but rather strive to live my life in a way I can only hope makes my mother, my grandmother, Vonna and my many other mother figures proud....


Thank you! Happy Mother's Day!

    What is Macy’s Heart of Haiti? Heart of Haiti is
a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social
entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s.
Already, Heart of Haiti has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti,
providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people in the
country.

 Each item is a one-of-a-kind design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan from
raw materials such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and
stone. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including
quilts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and paintings and is made almost
entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags,
cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood.  
 
Heart of Haiti products are available online at Macy’s.com.
 
    Thank you to Macy's Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart" promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.