The term “Illuminator” holds a special place in my heart, thanks to my mama’s story. It’s not just a word; it’s a guiding principle, encouraging us to light the path for others.
Enter Linda Schlesinger-Wagner. Yes, admittedly, I have a massive girl crush. She embodies everything I strive to be: a catalyst for change, an impactful agent, a natural connector, and a devoted servant. Linda’s entrepreneurial spirit only adds to her amazingness.
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I enter the studio and scan the room; the makers (artists) are hunched over, meticulously working with metal and scraps. I am greeted with warms smiles yet feel a considerable energy shift in the space. There is an undeniable intimacy to the studio; I have interrupted their flow as a stranger. No doubt, the instant I step away, the makers will revert to a place of laughing, sharing, and co-creating.
Read MoreWe are in full planning mode as Thing 2, aka my youngest, prepares to graduate from Highschool. College decisions, spring break wanderlust, and grad preparations. And while academics are important – I leave that to capable educators, my role as his mama is to expose him as much as possible to the world outside our walls.
To my delight, his college essay revealed an incredible journey of personal growth and discovery he experienced through participation in the Unified program, a peer-to-peer initiative designed for special needs students. It sparked something deep inside him, allowing compassion to deepen beyond what I could have ever taught.
This revelation prompted me to reach out to Rachelle Vartanian, the founder, President & CEO of Living and Learning Enrichment Center, a non-profit organization striving to enrich the lives of people with disabilities.
Rachelle is remarkably inspiring, with an optimistic disposition and bold plans; she embodies the spirit of a ToGETherJOY Illuminator. See for yourself; this is her story.
The day I learn his name—details of the fatal accident trickle in. A third-year Michigan State University student, Dominic Duhn, was killed in a hit and run while riding his skateboard with friends. Dominic was twenty years old. Survived by his parents, Drew, Gabriella, and younger brother, Enzo. My heart sinks for Gabriella, I do not pretend to know her pain, to bury a child, no, I do not know, but I do know what it is to love a son. A silent prayer, God give her strength is all I can whisper. The accident occurred less than a mile from my home; this could have been one of my boys.
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ToGETherJOY is a self-discovery journey. It is about taking the time to look inward and gain knowledge and understanding of our character and feelings. To reflect and work towards the person we want to become as we discover our dharma (purpose).
The practice of reflection is vital and better served when we combine this approach with recognizing and honoring individuals we respect—people making an extraordinary difference in our communities. Specifically, I seek women who have seemingly discovered their purpose and are dazzling us with their brilliance. i.e., chicks kicking ass in the human category.
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This is not my first rodeo; I have been here before, the new girl. Honestly, I am a pro; this is season 10 of my roadshow (the number of zip codes I have lived in). I wave to the group,” hi, I am Monica. I recently moved back to the area. Happy to find a group to play tennis with.”
I am greeted with a sea of smiles. I scan the group. These women know each other. The comfort amongst them was established long before this moment. I notice the trio in the corner of my eye – the ‘sisterhood’ is apparent from the onset. They stand in unison, and their connection is obvious. They give away their position easily; personal space does not exist between them. There is ease as they lean in and speak at close range. This friendship goes beyond the tennis court… they are more than friends. My observations are validated. I discover that for Suha, Amy, and Lisa (the sisters), tennis is merely an intersection, a four-way stop if you will, a home base for all the shenanigans life offers.
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