I began this year in Johannesburg, with my family. Touching origin soil, living life outside and beyond our North American context for those few months, touched me as deeply as I expected it would. While in Europe and Africa, I met with MOE clients monthly over a virtual connection. So beautiful to me, the relationships we were able to grow across continents - and a sweet calling to come back stateside - to help them joyfully welcome the new loves of their lives.
It was birth that brought me back.
We didn't plan to stay in the U.S. this year, not beyond birth through May. But work, life, circumstance - called us here through the entire year of 2024.
I journeyed with more Black American mothers and fathers and babies and grandparents, to and through birth.
I met people and had experiences that I would not have had otherwise, had the plans we'd made been realized.
I did a whole heck of a lot this year - both personally and professionally - and I am grateful for the people and the experiences that have colored this year of my life, and of my business.
Every day since launching MOE in January 2022, I have been under contract for work with one or more clients. And for the first time, I let myself express out loud that I needed rest, moving into this holiday season. I'd like to say that I listened to my body and my mind, and closed my calendar to potential holiday season contracts, but I did not. Nevertheless, my Creator heard me, and knew what I needed, and allowed every single request for consultation for NOV + DEC in-person births to not work out. For the first time in my professional doula career,
I have turned my phone off when it's time for bed, I have pretty consistently gotten up each morning at 5:30AM for puppy care and yoga, and I have spent far more balanced time with my children, my husband, and my self.
