Donation protected
Well 2020 certainly has held many lessons, challenges and ways to build resiliency!
For those who do not know me, I am a single mother to two wonderful children, and am in the midst of reinventing my business and entire life, and I have been hit by several challenges, most recently emergency surgery.
Early in the year the farm expansion I invested in fell through and I lost all of my crops. It was my first time since becoming a single parent that I was able to afford all we needed and invest in my offerings in a way that would expand our abilities to give and grow. This first bump in the road came in conjunction with the beginning of the pandemic. Just as we entered the shut down, myself and my boys got sick for six weeks just days after seeds were tucked away into the greenhouse. I was uncertain, like most all of us, what would happen and how would we make good. Invitations to radical presence never missing in 2020!
As the year continued I worked happily and tirelessly to recoup the lost investments as well as continue to survive in an ever changing world. My work is dependent on farming, in person events, retail and educating and because I have been securing financial independence I had not yet formalized the business, and therefore was not able to apply for the disaster relief available. Because of covid I knew the seasons would be much different since most of my income was no longer feasible. But we were ok, we were adjusting, showing up, doing the thing! We had what we needed and even in the difficulty we were still presented with such joy, even in a most traumatic collective experience, the tangible duality.
In the late summer a dream of a lifetime opened its arms to us: a new home with fourteen acres. Everything felt alive. "Dreamland", the name of the farm sanctuary I am stewarding, would give us a fresh start, the ability to access the non profit based work I feel called to start, space to grow, and a chance at a new healthy life. A seed planted began to sprout.
Due to the move, I had prepared and planned to sell my previous home, a huge overwhelming excitement to finally have my very first nest egg, a place for both my business and to care for my children. Things were looking bright and sunny, even with the muck, it was alright. With lots of moving pieces, like packing up ten years of life, fixing the old home to sell, preparing our new space, educating, entertaining, holding space, care taking. This was a whirlwind l at the height of flower season with two beautiful young ones missing the old ways we once enjoyed life.
While we were able to expand into a home where all the possibilities could become reality for ourselves and for the greater community, the move took financial investments dependent on the sale of my previous home. Unfortunately selling the home is no longer possible at this time for reasons out of my control. While this was another chance to use the mantra "this is not ideal," I trusted my capacity to create what we need to keep it all going. The debt was manageable enough and I have big plans for Dreamland which will provide stability.
The universe never gives us more than we can handle....
However, at the end of October chronic health issues I put aside to care for my family, led to emergency surgery (losing 25lbs in a matter of weeks from the inability to eat). I am unable to resume my normal work activities for 4 to 6 weeks (I tried and turns out they are not joking about healing time). I went into the holiday season in debt with no income but generally hopeful about what was to come.
Then, days before Christmas I was served with divorce papers, costing thousands of dollars out of the gate. This year has humbled me, I know I am not alone in that reality. I am so sorry for all of the collective pain and suffering. This year keeps showing us what community care really means.
Due to the aforementioned, and then the unexpected surgery I have no current income or savings. The really soul crushing part is a dream with no seeds; no way to invest in what will feed us and those around us in the spring.
That is what led me here. It took everything crumbling a bit more to really say ok, "I need help." To face discomfort with a salve of honesty, to lean in, trust and ask for support from you, my beloved community.
I know it's a lot during a time we all have so little. This is not far from my heart as I write and rewrite this. This sum or any additional funds raised will pay off the urgent debts and potentially support the ability to keep my business going at this tenuous time. There is no amount too small, and I am humbled beyond words for the generosity of the village and for you even witnessing my story, and blessing what is yet to unfold.
These funds would go toward pending legal fees and $10,000 in house debt. Any additional money will be used to keep my business going or support our ability to live (groceries, bills etc.)
I will plant a whole field of flowers for anyone who donates, I have plans for free food gardens, committed to giving love from the land, sharing space in reciprocity to your kindness and generosity.
Thank you for listening, witnessing and caring.
Xoxo
Nicole, Aedan and Wolf
For those who do not know me, I am a single mother to two wonderful children, and am in the midst of reinventing my business and entire life, and I have been hit by several challenges, most recently emergency surgery.
Early in the year the farm expansion I invested in fell through and I lost all of my crops. It was my first time since becoming a single parent that I was able to afford all we needed and invest in my offerings in a way that would expand our abilities to give and grow. This first bump in the road came in conjunction with the beginning of the pandemic. Just as we entered the shut down, myself and my boys got sick for six weeks just days after seeds were tucked away into the greenhouse. I was uncertain, like most all of us, what would happen and how would we make good. Invitations to radical presence never missing in 2020!
As the year continued I worked happily and tirelessly to recoup the lost investments as well as continue to survive in an ever changing world. My work is dependent on farming, in person events, retail and educating and because I have been securing financial independence I had not yet formalized the business, and therefore was not able to apply for the disaster relief available. Because of covid I knew the seasons would be much different since most of my income was no longer feasible. But we were ok, we were adjusting, showing up, doing the thing! We had what we needed and even in the difficulty we were still presented with such joy, even in a most traumatic collective experience, the tangible duality.
In the late summer a dream of a lifetime opened its arms to us: a new home with fourteen acres. Everything felt alive. "Dreamland", the name of the farm sanctuary I am stewarding, would give us a fresh start, the ability to access the non profit based work I feel called to start, space to grow, and a chance at a new healthy life. A seed planted began to sprout.
Due to the move, I had prepared and planned to sell my previous home, a huge overwhelming excitement to finally have my very first nest egg, a place for both my business and to care for my children. Things were looking bright and sunny, even with the muck, it was alright. With lots of moving pieces, like packing up ten years of life, fixing the old home to sell, preparing our new space, educating, entertaining, holding space, care taking. This was a whirlwind l at the height of flower season with two beautiful young ones missing the old ways we once enjoyed life.
While we were able to expand into a home where all the possibilities could become reality for ourselves and for the greater community, the move took financial investments dependent on the sale of my previous home. Unfortunately selling the home is no longer possible at this time for reasons out of my control. While this was another chance to use the mantra "this is not ideal," I trusted my capacity to create what we need to keep it all going. The debt was manageable enough and I have big plans for Dreamland which will provide stability.
The universe never gives us more than we can handle....
However, at the end of October chronic health issues I put aside to care for my family, led to emergency surgery (losing 25lbs in a matter of weeks from the inability to eat). I am unable to resume my normal work activities for 4 to 6 weeks (I tried and turns out they are not joking about healing time). I went into the holiday season in debt with no income but generally hopeful about what was to come.
Then, days before Christmas I was served with divorce papers, costing thousands of dollars out of the gate. This year has humbled me, I know I am not alone in that reality. I am so sorry for all of the collective pain and suffering. This year keeps showing us what community care really means.
Due to the aforementioned, and then the unexpected surgery I have no current income or savings. The really soul crushing part is a dream with no seeds; no way to invest in what will feed us and those around us in the spring.
That is what led me here. It took everything crumbling a bit more to really say ok, "I need help." To face discomfort with a salve of honesty, to lean in, trust and ask for support from you, my beloved community.
I know it's a lot during a time we all have so little. This is not far from my heart as I write and rewrite this. This sum or any additional funds raised will pay off the urgent debts and potentially support the ability to keep my business going at this tenuous time. There is no amount too small, and I am humbled beyond words for the generosity of the village and for you even witnessing my story, and blessing what is yet to unfold.
These funds would go toward pending legal fees and $10,000 in house debt. Any additional money will be used to keep my business going or support our ability to live (groceries, bills etc.)
I will plant a whole field of flowers for anyone who donates, I have plans for free food gardens, committed to giving love from the land, sharing space in reciprocity to your kindness and generosity.
Thank you for listening, witnessing and caring.
Xoxo
Nicole, Aedan and Wolf
Organizer
Nicole Vescio-Noblett
Organizer
Eden, NY