Hi, my name is Emily Miller. On New Year’s Eve, our home was flooded with the water, mud, and debris from the collapse of the culvert at the Oakland Zoo, just a block from our home. We’ve already received so much support and kind words from our community. Thank you for holding our family in your heart. While the rain endured, the interior of our home is now mostly mud-free. The front and back gardens are not. Everything is covered in mud. Mud that is likely to harbor bacteria and toxins, unsafe for us, our dog Talia, and for growing food. In some places the mud is over 8 inches deep. No conditions for squash, tomatoes, beans, peppers, greens, strawberries, and more.

Many of you know that my garden is my sanctuary. In the past several years, I’ve joined women of color all over this country who have sought to reconnect with the land for healing and for nourishment. I have forged a new relationship with growing plants and am exploring how I can impact not only our environment, but also systems of food oppression, by producing food to nourish my family. The garden is also a respite from the worries of the world for me and for the whole family. It is the place where we read and imagine worlds different from our own. It is a container for fairy creeks and princess tea parties. It is a gathering place for loved ones.

Not having access to this critical part of our home has been painful and as we look to rebuild, the journey is daunting. It will take professional help to dig us out of the sludge, before re-installing landscaping, replacing soil where necessary, and beginning to replant.

And so I turn to my other sanctuary- art. I am creating a limited edition, hand-pulled, 11"x14" linoleum print called, “Bloom.” It is an image of a bouquet of flowers I picked in July of 2022. I hope that you find the work pleasing and would like a print for yourself. As a thank you, the first 100 people who donate $50 or more will receive a print. Any amount helps. All of the proceeds will be dedicated to rebuilding the front and back gardens so they are once again a peaceful and abundant oasis to be shared.