The lead-up to today has been terrible. I’ve been very anxious and unsure about what the day would be like.
I started out by having breakfast with my brother.
From there, I went to Eagles’ Haven for a meditation class. It wasn’t what I expected. I figured we’d lie down for an hour. We began seated, and then stood and did a shaking exercise followed by dance/movement, and then back to seated. I haven’t done anything like that before, but I felt energized, recharged and ready for whatever was ahead of me.
I went outside to do a jewelry class at 10, but saw that the staff was doing a dedication to the 17 Eagles. Each one had a candle with their name on it. We were invited to light one, if we knew or had a connection to the person. I lit Meadow’s. After that, I made some bracelets in MSD colors.
I got my nails done at 11:30. Self-care was the best thing I could’ve done for myself today. I got the same thing I got two years ago.
After my nails, I went to get my kids and my mom. We had lunch at Moe’s – the same Moe’s where I had dinner on 2/14. Going back there doesn’t bother me; we go all the time. It just seemed oddly coincidental that that’s where we ended up for lunch two years later.
I told my kids and mom about the activities that Eagles’ Haven had scheduled all day. They opened in late March 2019, so this was the first anniversary they’ve been open. They had so many wonderful things planned for us as a community, and I was happy to do all of it.
We went back and my kids both rode the Smoothie Bike – which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a stationary bike that powers a blender to make smoothies. My mom and daughter painted on tiles. My mom made this for me.
They had chair massages, so my mom and I took advantage of that when she got out of meditation. I’ve encouraged her to go to Eagles’ Haven on her own, but she said she feels silly. She’s taken my daughter to some things, and come with me. I told her that the resources are not just for me, but for my parents, brother, husband and children. It takes a supportive network to keep me afloat. I hope she goes more often.
The executive director, Sarah, asked to speak with me. They’ll be filming a promotional video over the summer, and she wants me to be a part of it. I told her and another director, Wendy, that I’m in for whatever they need. I told them, as I’ve said countless times before, that they’ve done so much for me and my healing, that I’ll do anything to help them.
We left around 4 so I could take my mom home. I went inside for what was to be a few minutes, but I was just so tired from the day. I wanted to go back to Eagles’ Haven at 5 for a sound and color meditation class, but I just couldn’t get up to do it.
Throughout the day, I saw students of mine who were at Eagles’ Haven for the first time. I was so happy to have them there. I’m honestly the biggest fan of Eagles’ Haven. I hope, as they approach their first anniversary, that more people start coming there to utilize the services and resources.
I had on my list of “things to do” for the day to go to a service at Pine Trails Park at 1 and the opening of the Peace & Love art installation at 3. I didn’t do either. I needed to spend the day doing things that made me happy and feel good. I’m not good to anyone, if I’m not good to myself.
If you want to help Eagles’ Haven continue supporting the MSD community, find more information here. https://www.eagleshaven.org/