08/14/2026
You guys, I could cry. Happy tears.
Today I am finally opening my stand for the very first time since that terrible accident a few weeks ago, when a drunk driver crashed his 4 wheeler right into my door while I was sitting in Dustinβs truck. It messed up my right hand really badly, so squeezing my piping bag still hurts so much, and even though Mayo gave me pain cream, itβs been a tough recovery on top of dealing with neck pain from the hit. I am so sorry itβs taken me this long to open back up! To make things heavier, Iβm facing brain radiation in two different areas coming up very soon, and on top of all that, dealing with a bit of small town drama from people trying to bad mouth my business just because we have 4 wheelers and other toys in the yard. π
When I went out to the stand today to start setting out my baked goods, I grabbed my money box and felt like something was inside. I unlocked it and found this: a $20 and a handwritten note from Mark. Mark is a 73 year old gentleman I met about three weeks ago while we were both at Mayo for chemo. The wait days down there take forever, so I always try to talk to people to make the time pass. As some of you know, being deaf and almost mute can make chatting a bit of a challenge, but I do the best I can, and most people are so sweet to lean in and listen. Even while dealing with his own heavy health struggles, Mark took the time out of his day to drive all the way out to my little town just to leave that note and support me. We were in the middle of a conversation when they called my name so I had to get up and leave.
These little moments right here remind me of the good and show me that there are truly amazing people in this world. For so long, I searched for my purpose. I did childcare for many, many years, and those 14 screaming, wild children held my whole heart, and they were literally the reason I got out of bed every single day, and seeing them all grown up now is so surreal. But I am just so thankful I started Heartfelt and Homemade, because it has truly changed my life. I found my purpose again.
Thank you all for sticking by me, supporting my little porch stand, and being such an incredible community. See you soon! π€